Bee Happy!

by Joanne James2. April 2013 22:19

 

The sun is shining at last today and after a fun afternoon running around our local park with my two children and feeling like maybe, just maybe there is some blue sky behind the clouds, I thought it would be a good day to share this bright card with you:

I'm still playing with my Spring Sampler set - that's where the cute bee comes from today - and have also got out my hexagon embossing folder again. It made the perfect honeycomb for today's little fellow, who I stamped directly onto the embossed cardstock after embossing (just his body using a black marker). I then stamped him again on Whisper White cardstock and cut out his wings and stuck them on separately, to add interest. Lastly, the sentiment is a partial image of the retired Sale-A-Bration Bloomin' Marvelous greeting 'oh happy day' - the perfect play on words to sum up a perfectly happy day.

Until next time, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Spring Sampler, Bloomin' Marvelous (Sale-A-Bration - retired)

Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Basic Black

Tools: Hexagon embossing folder

 

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Cards | Stamping

Easter Bunny Punch Art Card and Gift Box

by Joanne James31. March 2013 21:43

I hope everyone has been enjoying a lovely Easter day, with plenty of chocolate eggs thrown in! This is my last Easter offering to share with you all and was inspired by one of my other hobbies - biscuit making. I recently enjoyed a fun day out with a friend at the Biscuiteers Icing Cafe in Notting Hill, where we spent a pleasant morning icing Easter bunnies in various poses, spring lambs and Easter eggs. My favourite was a lovely pale brown bunny with floppy ears, that shows him from behind with an iced bunny tail - he inspired this punch art bunny card, which shows him with a couple of friends:

 

I love the simple design with the polka dot paper and oval framelits, with just a touch of colour to each bunny tail to make them 'pop'. I didn't add a sentiment because although this card was for Easter, I wanted it to be able to use it for any occasion. My biscuits from that day are all long gone but I have the same cutter to make more at home and so designed a co-ordinating gift box, which is just the right size for a similar biscuit to fit in and would make a lovely gift for someone special:

I just made a simple shallow box with a Whisper White base and Marina Mist lid using my Simply Scored, then attached the punched bunny oval to a belly band made from the reverse side to the spots on the card, which just holds the box securely together. Next time I make one of these I'll try and include a photo of the biscuit too, although they don't hang around for long in our house, it has to be said!

Back tomorrow with thoughts of spring - until then, eat lots of chocolate and happy stampin'!

 

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Cardstock: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Crumb Cake, Polka Dots Parade DSP

Tools: Owl Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Ornament Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch (flower), Oval Framelits, Simply Scored

Finishing Touches: 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon Marina Mist, Basics Pearls

Happy Easter From The Crafty Owl

by Joanne James31. March 2013 12:24

Happy Easter blog followers! This is the first of two blog posts today and this one is for you: the Crafty Owl is entering into the spirit of things and is playing bunny dress up ready for his Easter egg hunt today: 

I could have simply made a rabbit from my owl punch (just one of the many things the owl can become - this is such a versatile punch!) but instead decided to dress him as a bunny rabbit, complete with hat ears and bunny nose - cute, eh?!

Happy Easter everyone - I'll be back later with a bunny of a different kind. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Wacky Wishes (hostess)

Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Basic Grey, Basic Black

Ink: Pretty in Pink

Tools: Owl Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig

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Cards | Punch Art

Spring Sampler Easter Card

by Joanne James30. March 2013 23:30

Another quick post to share a last-minute Easter card I made today. This is a case of a Connie Babbert card seen here that was so quick to make with the aid of a couple of square punches, I just had to give it a go: 

My version uses a different sentiment stamp and Easter images, but is otherwise the same. I love the Sunshine and Sprinkles paper against the Lucky Limeade background. That's me done for today - back tomorrow with a bunny rabbit Easter card and matching gift box. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Spring Sampler, Wacky Wishes (hostess)

Cardstock: Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Sunshine and Sprinkles DSP

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Basic Grey

Tools: 1 1/4" punch, 13/8" punch, hexagon embossing folder

Finishing Touches: Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon

 

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Cards | Stamping

Rain or Shine?

by Joanne James27. March 2013 23:13

Whilst my blog title today reminds me of a pop song of my childhood ('Five Star' were the band I believe - showing my age now!!), it also sums up perfectly today's card. With weather possibly the top conversation for Britons this week - we've had more snow, sub zero temperatures and icy winds with no signs of things letting up any time soon. It's the official start of British Summertime this Sunday - hard to believe I know!! - so I thought I would make a simple weather card with more colour than we seem to find in reality at the moment, but there we are:

I've been experimenting with one layer cards and my Spring Sampler set this week. I find one layer cards a real challenge and having made a version of this card as a one layer card originally, I preferred this version with the cloud and sun punched and raised with a couple of dimensionals - so not one layer after all, although some of my other experiments were more successful - I'll share them another time.

Anyone wondering how I created my rainbow? I actually used the guide sheet for my Simply Scored Borders Plate and used one of the curved lines as a stencil, rather than as a scoring guide - this enabled me to get perfectly aligned curves every time. That said, my rainbow is technically incomplete - I stopped short of including violet as it looked a little grey on my concept card but isn't that the joy of making your own cards - you can make them just as you like!

This card could be used for all kinds of occasions, so great to have on standby in the 'stash box'. That's all from me today - hopefully back tomorrow with another Spring card for you. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Spring Sampler, Bloomin' Marvelous (retired)

Cardstock: Whisper White

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Real Red, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, Tempting Turquoise, Elegant Eggplant

Tools: Simply Scored Borders Plate

 

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Cards | Stamping

Which came first: the chick or the egg?

by Joanne James26. March 2013 21:51

Today I'm sharing one of my favourite Easter projects with you. I think the new oval framelits in the Spring-Summer seasonal catalogue were crying out to be made into an Easter gate-fold card, so here's my version: 

I used oval framelits 1-4 and 6 to create an Easter egg on the outside; I deliberately chose to keep the front quite simple with some paper piercing for interest and a large paper bow to tie the whole thing together. The outer oval lifts up to release the fold and reveal the surprise on the inside:

A cute punch art chick with a happy Easter message! So for this card at least, the egg came first. One last photo of a close up of the bow - a dramatic focal point for this card and I love it:

 

Hope you like it. Back tomorrow with more Spring loveliness; until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Wacky Wishes

Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive

Ink: Tangerine Tango

Tools: Oval Framelits, Oval Paper Piercing Template, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Two Step Bird Punch (for wings), Heart Punch (for feet - retired)

 

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3D Projects | Cards | Punch Art

Madison Avenue Easter Cross

by Joanne James24. March 2013 22:39

It's snowing outside - again! - so I've spent the day hibernating, with a combination of crafting and 'daring Monopoly' to quote my son (I'm not sure how this differs to regular monopoly, but it was fun all the same!) Lots of new things to share with you this week, but for now back on the Easter theme today, albeit with a great use of a recent Sale-A-Bration stamp set.

I saw this card by Amanda at the Craft Spa here and thought it was a really neat idea so just had to have a go at recreating it. Armed with my trusty Stamp-a-ma-jig, here's my card: 

 

No sentiment, as I didn't have one that fitted neatly, but still a great additional use for the Madison Avenue border stamp. Easy to decorate, as the Itty Bitty Punch shapes fit perfectly inside. Quite effective, don't you think?

Back tomorrow with more Easter treats! Until then, happy stampin!

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Madison Avenue

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Island Indigo, Pool Party

Ink: Island Indigo

Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Itty Bitty Punches

Finishing Touches: Rhinestone Basic Jewels

 

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Cards | Sale-a-bration | Stamping

Thanks A Ton!

by Joanne James23. March 2013 21:00

Sale-A-Bration is over for another year, so today I'm sharing a thank you card designed by Bekka Prideaux at our last team training session using one of the free Sale-A-Bration sets, Patterned Occasions: 

I SO love this elephant and the colour combination of the Daffodil Delight with the Rich Razzleberry is really zingy I think. So to all of my Sale-A-Bration customers, thanks a ton - this one's for you!

Until next time, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Sycamore Street DSP

Stamps: Patterned Occasions

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green

Finishing Touches: 1/4" Rich Razzleberry Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Scallop Border Punch

Tea Shoppe Centre Step Card

by Joanne James22. March 2013 21:37

I'm behind with my Easter photography, so a break from Easter cards today and another of the Tea Shoppe cards that I've been making to share with you. This is a case of a card by Michelle Last (you can see her version here), albeit in a completely different colourway: 

This card involves a lot of cutting out by hand of the cups, but it's worth it I think for the overall effect. I used some of my 'Tea for Two' DSP to provide the background paper and I love the flower trim - it really makes this card, don't you think? I coloured the edges of my flowers by dipping in some Pretty in Pink reinker; I think it ties them into the overall colour scheme really well. You can do this with any ink colour to co-ordinate with your project, so it makes them really versatile. Here's a close up of the flowers so that you can see the effect in detail: 

So pretty! I love the vintage feel of this card, even though I'm generally a clean lines, modern design kind of girl. This would be a lovely birthday card or even special invitation to an afternoon tea party - I can almost hear the china tea cups and saucers chinking together ...

Back tomorrow with more Easter fun; until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Tea Shoppe

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Rose Red, Tea for Two DSP

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Rose Red

Tools: Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Two-Step Bird Punch (for the leaves), Stampin' Dimensionals, Trimmer

Finishing Touches: 5/8" Flower Trim

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Cards | Stamping

Peepo Bunny Rabbit Punch Art

by Joanne James21. March 2013 22:06

So today's card was a case of something similar I saw on Pinterest which I actually made as a birthday card for a special 7 year old recently who is just mad about rabbits. I thought I would share today as it could just as easily be adapted to an Easter card. This is the front:

I used the 'Memorable Moments' stamp set to create the 'Happy 7th Birthday' - this is a great set that allows you to create custom birthday and anniversary greetings for pretty much any number combination. The outline stamp also fits the Labels Framelits perfectly. I love the idea of the rabbit hopping into his hidey-hole, only to open the card and see him reappear on the inside.

 

Here's a close-up of the inside: 

You can see the detail of his face and the subtle sponging just adds texture and character to his features. My favourite has to be the extra-large pompom tail on the front though I just love it!

So only one more day of Sale-A-Bration left - if you have an order to place or would like to sign up for the enhanced starter kit, you've got less than 24 hours to get in touch with me, so don't delay!

Back tomorrow with more Easter ideas - might even show something using one of the Sale-A-Bration sets, for all you early-birds who already have your free stamp sets and are looking for more great ways in which to use them. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Memorable Moments, Woodgrain. Inside greeting is from a retired set - the current set 'A Word For You' is very similar though.

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Gumball Green

Inks: Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip

Tools: Itty Bitty Punches, Large Oval, Small Oval, Circle Punch (various sizes), Ornament Punch, Owl Punch (for nose), Labels Framelits, Trimmer

Finishing Touches: Basics pearls.

 

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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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