Ringed With Nature Thinking of You Get Well Soon Card

by Joanne James22. October 2022 10:48

Today I'm sharing the card that pairs with the one I shared earlier in the week using the Ringed With Nature bundle; this uses the same colours, but a different layout - I used the Try Stamping on Tuesday sketch as my starting point (mirrored to work with my embossing folder):

 

I used the Tree Rings Embossing Folder to emboss the whole of the cardfront, then layered an extra two for the detail, focusing on the dies in the set - take a look:

 

 Here's the low-down on today's card:

I used acorns tied with linen thread, along with some leaves and berries accented with in-colour matt dots for my top circle, followed by a trio of mushrooms for the second circle:

 

I carried the toadstool design over to the envelope and the inside of my card, which I completed with a 'get well soon' message. This card is already in the post to a dear friend of mine who is definitely in need of a pick-me-up this week, following an unexpected emergency surgery whilst already recuperating from an unrelated procedure. I hope she likes it!

Here's a photo of both of my Ringed With Nature cards together - I think they make a great pair. Which do you prefer? The one that focuses on the stamped images or the dies? 

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. 

Enjoy your day; we had early hockey today with both James Juniors playing at the same time - a rare thing! It did mean I managed to squeeze in an extra post; the rest of my day will be spent getting the oldest ready for a school trip to San Francisco tomorrow and an early night in readiness for the super-early Sunday alarm - well, we can't have everything, can we?! 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.

Cottage Wreaths Spooky Spider Card AYSI 286

by Joanne James21. October 2022 12:00

Today I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where it's time for a seasonal 'fill in the blank' challenge:

    

I used Jacqui's sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches for my layout this week - can you guess how I filled in the blank? Here's my card:

 

 Here's the low-down on today's card:

For Me The Spookiest Thing on Halloween Is Always - .. the fact that there are even more spiders than usual! I'm all for appreciating all creatures great and small, but I draw the line at spiders and wasps! I've been stung by a wasp on three separate occasions - each of them memorable and none of them pleasant and as for spiders, well they just give me the heebie-jeebies, especially furry ones or ones with the long, spindly legs!! So today's card had to feature spiders! It actually started with the stamped one, which comes from the Cottage Wreaths stamp set. Ironically, one of the reasons I bought this set was for the spider and the 'boo' greeting, as it allowed for versatility given that I didn't want to buy lots of Halloween sets but I honestly haven't been able to bring myself to create a Halloween wreath featuring this particular arachnid - every time I go to visit another blog to leave a comment and I see this spider featured on a card, it literally makes my skin creep!

I decided to pair both the spider and greeting with some (retired - Happy Hauntings) designer paper squares, also featuring a similar spider, and create a simple feature where this one looks like he's escaping the paper via his 'web' line of pierced dots courtesy of my Take Your Pick Tool. I also added an embossed spider's web to the black mat layer, although this is difficult to see in the photos and I embossed the envelope flap too for additional spooky effect. Against my better judgement, here's a close-up of the escapee:

 

Whilst I actually like the finished card, I have absolutely no idea who to send it too - does anyone out there actually like spiders?! Answers below please - I will happily send this card your way! I am also going to share the loveliness of today's Halloween creation with the ladies over at SUO Challenges where they are all about Halloween for a second entry.

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 Fill in the Blank challenge, complete the sentence in the Challenge Banner with the phrase that is true for you and create your project using the words you used. Tell us what you said in your blog or on your site.
We look forward to seeing your creations in the AYSI gallery.

Enjoy your day - it's Friday so my cleaning day and the housework beckons - off to do battle with the real-life spiders and their cobwebs, which are always more prevalent at this time of year as they come indoors to escape the chillier autumn weather. Wish me luck! 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.

Ringed With Nature Love and Warmth Christmas Card TTT 184

by Joanne James20. October 2022 16:00

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: 

       May be an image of 1 person, child, dog and text that says "#131 Sweet Sorbet COLOUR ----- RI CHALLENGES Cherry Cobbler Crumb Cake Early Espresso sandra"

Apologies for the lateness of today's post - life sometimes gets in the way! I used the Atlantic Hearts sketch for my layout and the colours over at Colour Inkspiration and went down the first column of the board with foliage, acorn/berries and trees/wood - take a look:

 

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

I used the Ringed with Nature stamp set and co-ordinating Tree Rings Hybrid Embossing Folder to stamp some leaves, florals and berries onto my vanilla layer (having stamped-off first), along with some splatters, then added a diecut tree ring, layered with diecut and stamped elements that I fussy cut, a linen twine bow and a Textural Elements wooden berry sprig, to which I added a trio of (retired) Cherry Cobbler enamel dots. I stamped and fussy cut my sentiment and added that alongside:

This is one of those cards that just evolved into the finished product as I added and removed bits and pieces until I was happy with it. I love the texture of the diecut elements and by sponging them with additional colour it really adds depth. In fact, I liked the colours so much I made a second card - I'll share that with you on Saturday!

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 evening; 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.

Stampin' Up!'s Clearance Rack Has Updated!

by Joanne James18. October 2022 14:12

What a great start to a Tuesday - I logged on this morning to find a surprise update to the Clearance Rack. There are now lots of new items available, some with as much as 60% off. As is always the case, popular items will sell out quickly and stocks are already lower than they were earlier today, so don't spend too long deliberating - get in there quick! There are some great paper bargains, including many designer series papers, accessories, kits and punches. 

Click here to go the clearance rack in my online store and grab a bargain whilst stocks last! Don't forget to include the current hostess code WUN4D92Q in order to receive your special 'thank you' in the post from me. 

Race you to the shop - first one there gets the bargains! Happy shopping! 

Cottage Wreaths Grateful Card Times Two CCS 492

by Joanne James18. October 2022 12:00

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

    

 For my card today I used the sketch layout over at Try Stamping on Tuesday and used my Country Wreaths bundle to create a thank you card that is great for using up scraps - take a look:

 

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

A Colour Confession - First up - a colour confession! I was feeling totally pleased with myself for having made my card for this challenge much earlier than I usually do, until I went to upload it and realised I had used the wrong colours - I made a card using Pumpkin Pie instead of Michal's chosen Pale Papaya!! So I quickly went and made a duplicate in the correct colours. I had already worked up all my photos though, so I am sharing both with you here. On the upside - you get a two for one and we can have a debate on white card you like best!!

 

A Liberal Sketch Interpretation - I often get asked how I go about interpreting a sketch when I make a card and today's card is a good example of a less than literal one, so worthy of some explanation! I really liked the offset layers of the TSOT sketch but decided to make both my base and first mat white, so as not to detract from the clean and simple feel of my card. For the third 'layer', I added a selection of strips in the challenge colours and staggered their lengths to add interest; this is a great way to incorporate blocks of colour in a small area and it uses up scraps too, so win-win! I used this as the basis for my neutral-toned wreath, stamped with the 'Cottage Wreaths' set, with white diecut detail behind. I added some additional leaf sprigs and a gingham bow focal point. Finally, those three dots? I added three sequins on my initial card and a trio of gems on my remake but scattered them around my wreath.

 

This is a stretch from the sketch - but the elements of the sketch are all there. I love sketches - they are a great jumping-off point for a card.

This or That? - Here's a photo of both of my cards - one slightly bolder than the other. Which one is your favourite?

 

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.

Celebrate Sunflowers Clean and Simple CCS491

by Joanne James11. October 2022 12:00

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & SketchesThis week's challenge is a sketch challenge and Michal has asked that we focus our design on opposing corners with a central sentiment.  Feel free to flip or rotate the sketch when making your card.

        

For my card today I decided to use the lovely autumnal browns, oranges and cream of the Sunday Stamps colour palette to give an autumnal feel to my clean and simple thank you card - and since that is the theme over at Just Us Girls I can link today's card up there too - how nice to be on-trend! I decided to go for off-the-edge sunflowers for my corner detail - take a look:

 

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

The large sunflower image in the 'Celebrate Sunflowers' stamp set is perfect for adding a partial image to decorate my opposing corners; it's clear what the image is, even though only part of it is shown. I coloured my sunflowers with my Stampin' Blends and used a thank you sentiment from the same set for ease:

 

I like the idea of these orange sunflowers; whilst the large, yellow ones are more common, they do come in lots of different colours from yellow and orange through to a dark red and these seem to evoke autumn and the changing seasons more so than a sunny, summery yellow I think.

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.

Simply Fabulous Stencilled Slimline Birthday Card AYSI285

by Joanne James7. October 2022 12:00

Today I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where it's time for a bold colour challenge:

    

I love this week's colour palette, although the bold colours did mean I had to get my thinking cap on. I decided they would be perfect for me to try out an idea I've had buzzing around for a while - take a look:

 

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

Simply Fabulous - I've made no secret of how much I love the 'Simply fabulous' stamp set - to me, it is just that! So versatile, with great sentiments and fonts and bold floral images, if you do a search you'll find lots of examples of where I've used it on other cards. Instead of stamping in colour, I wanted to see what it would look like stamped in black onto a coloured base. The images are small and easy to combine and the subtle leaf detail on some of the images mean this works really well. I used my Stamparatus to stamp clusters of images at a time, reinking to make sure I had a nice solid black image. I also added a little additional detail on the inside:

DIY Stencils - I decided that I would use some circle shapes to highlight my clusters of silhouetted images and use a combination of blended colours in each one. I made my own set of circle stencils, using some window sheet and my Layering Circles Dies, so carefully positioned them where I wanted my images, starting with the large ones and adding a few smaller ones around the edge to fill in the gaps. I used my blending brushes to add a combination of two colours to each circle. I love using stencils and don't have many in my collection, but I'm always looking at ways in which I can use my dies to create custom stencils - do you do this too? My stencilling here is simple but I think quite effective; I'm linking up with the challenge over at Inkspirational where they are asking us to use stencils this week - do check out the DT and gallery cards, there are some great examples of the way stencils can be used on your projects.

 

Finishing Touches - To finish my card, I added a few matte black dots to the outer borders of the larger circles as an accent:

I really love this card and am glad I used a slimline design too as it meant I got more circles onto my card front. If I could change one thing, I think I would stamp my sentiment in black rather than Starry Sky; I wanted to tie it in to the mat layer, but I think black would have given a crisper finish. I'll save that for my next one! 

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.
We look forward to seeing your creations in the AYSI gallery.

Enjoy your day. Mine will be filled with laundry and housework and maybe a little crafting! I am on late pickup this evening, as one of the James Juniors has a social evening and quiz night at school, which after this morning's rush hour I am particularly thankful for: a beer tanker had overturned and completely blocked the dual carriageway that is only minutes into our journey, necessitating a massive diversion and delay - not what you need when you have a 60 mile round trip to embark on at 7.15am! Still, everyone got to school on time and I'm thankful we weren't involved in the incident itself, so all good. 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.

Clean And Simple Autumn Leaves TT182

by Joanne James6. October 2022 17:00

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

       

Lots of seasonal delights on today's board! I went across the middle row with orange, free and autumn leaves to make a clean and simply thank you card - take a look:

 

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

Today's card is clean and simple in style, although took a little effort to achieve. My Cajun Craze cardbase with heat embossed sentiment from 'Lovely You' was easy enough, but for the top layer I wanted to create a diecut edge detail using the oak leaf die in the Chic die set. It may look at first glance as if this card is simply a split panel with a trio of leaves adhered in a diagonal on top, but that's not the case! I created a mask using a trio of diecut leaves and some masking paper, and used this to mask the Vanilla panel and then added colours to the area below the mask where my leaf diecuts would ultimately sit. I used the Color Dare colours (bottom row, plus top left orange), then adhered my distressed gold leaf diecut leaves on top, so that my blended colour showed through. Finally I trimmed my border to the bottom outer edge of my leaf shapes. This was a little time-consuming, but I really love the effect - the leaves look so autumnal to me and the touches of gold with the distressed paper I used for the outlines and a few sequins to finish add to the richness:  

 

I am super happy with my clean and simple card so will also be linking up with the lovely peeps over at Addicted to CAS where the codeword is 'Autumn' - for me, synonymous with the changing colours of the leaves. I hope you like today's creation!

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 the rest of 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.

Just Saying Hello with Simply Fabulous CCS 490

by Joanne James4. October 2022 12:00

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. We are starting a new month and the lovely Michal is our host for October. We are starting the month with a colour challenge: 

     

For my card today I decided to use the sketch design (but not the colours/inspo photo) over at Fusion for a bright and cheery card that has a distinctly summery feel - take a look:

 

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

I thought Michal's colour choices were perfect for a bold flower and sentiment, courtesy of my favourite 'Simply Fabulous' stamp set. I stamped them onto a diecut circle and used a sunny Daffodil Delight card base, with a piece of 'Celebrate Everything' gingham paper across the top of the panel. I resisted the urge to add some white baker's twine and finished my flower centre with nothing more than an enamel dot embellishment:

 

A co-ordinating flower on my envelope and inside complete this easy 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; I'm having a desk day as there is lots of Stampin' Up! news to impart so I've quite a few posts to write - and of course there's shopping to take advantage of today's free shipping offer - yay! I'll be back on Thursday 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.

Merriest Moments Christmas Card For A Friend CCS 489

by Joanne James27. September 2022 12:00

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. Today we have Valerie's final sketch challenge: 

           

Feel free to flip or rotate the sketch when making your card. I thought this was a great sketch and perfect to enable me to play along with a few other challenges too: the ladies over at Just Add Ink have a 'Choose 2' challenge this week, at Less is More the theme is 'friendship' and since over at CAS on Friday the theme is Christmas, I am playing there too! So - to my card:

 

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

Masked Merriest Moments - I decided to properly rise to the challenge over at Just Add Ink this week and would use not just two but all three of their options! For my foliage and masking, I used the Merriest Moments stamp set - one of my all-time Christmas festive favourites. I used a circle framelit to cut a circle of masking paper, then stamped a selection of festive foliage around the edge, masking the individual pieces too to create a sense of depth and dimension. Once the masking paper was removed, I stamped my sentiment in the clear circle in the centre and used a thin (retired) gold hoop embellishment to outline the edge of my masked circle, then added some diecut red berries and a poinsettia to the front of the hoop - I like the subtle depth that this gives and pop of additional colour amongst the greens of the foliage:

 

Words of Friendship - My festive friendship sentiment comes from the 'Christmas To Remember' stamp set - a set of sayings perfect for this time of year. I used another two to add detail to the inside of my card, along with a little more festive foliage decoration:

Simple as that! I wish in hindsight I'd taken step by step photos of the construction process for this card, because whilst easy to explain contained a fair number of steps to achieve the desired effect. I really like the finished card though and I know that when one of my oldest, dear friends who I don't see often, but is always in my thoughts, receives this card she will love it 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:

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

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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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