Storybook Gnomes Blue Christmas

by Joanne James10. February 2024 06:00

Today I have a nice early post for you as I'm guesting with the lovely team over at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown this week! I won their December sketch challenge with this card so was delighted to be invited by Andreja to join them as a guest. This week it's colour week and they are inviting us to make cards using a blue and white colour combination:

    

For my card I used the current layout over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and grabbed some retired Storybook Gnomes designer series paper and set to work. Take a look at what I came up with:

 

 Here's the low-down on today's card:

My card started with that vertical panel of blue and white patterned paper - so pretty! I added a simple Balmy Blue banner then a sentiment from the retired stamp set 'Hug In A Mug' and a gnome that I diecut from another sheet of paper using my Gnomes Dies:

 

 I added a little extra detail on the inside - a sentiment from 'Gnome For The Holidays' and a partial toadstool house: 

 

Lots of little touches of blue for another Christmas card to add to my stash!  Thank you to the team over at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown for having me as their guest this week and for keeping me making Christmas cards throughout the year!

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

 

Heartfelt Hellos Love You More Card

by Joanne James9. February 2024 10:00

I haven't managed much in the way of crafty time this week (it's amazing how a car breakdown can take up hours of your time!) so today I'm sharing a clean and simple card yet one that still packs a punch! I used the current Sketch Saturday layout and a sentiment with this week's challenge over at Just Us Girls in mind:

    

I'm fully embracing red and hearts for a sweet Valentine's card full of love - take a look:

 

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

A simple layered panel, tied with twine and a focal sentiment pretty much sum up today's card. I'm loving the new Everyday Details Dies, one of which I used to diecut my sentiment label. The other two main elements - the heart patterned Most Adored designer series paper that I used for my panel and the sentiment from the 'Heartfelt Hellos' stamp set - are both items that you can choose FREE with a £45 purchase during the current Sale-A-Bration promotion: bonus! I added a single red resin heart below my stamped sentiment for a final tie in to that pretty paper:

This is the perfect sentiment for the person in your life who has one of those never-ending conversations "Love you". "Love you more." "No, love you more." and so on - you know the ones?! The youngest of the James Juniors often uses this as a bedtime-stalling tactic, even now he's in his teens. Clearly, it works!

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. 

You have until the end of February to take advantage of Sale-A-Bration, whilst supplies last - so time to get shopping! Enjoy your day; I'm off to do some shopping of a different kind (grocery shopping - apparently craft supplies don't make a nutritious dinner!) but I'll be back early 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.

Thoughtful Moments Happy Day Rainbow CCS 530

by Joanne James6. February 2024 13:00

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

   

I don't mind admitting, this trio of colours properly threw me for a loop! I couldn't get past the fact that they would make a great Pixar ball image and struggled to use them to make a card featuring anything else! I made a few discarded cards for today's challenge, before finally going uber-simple and paring my card back to the basics - take a look: 

 

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

A simple red frame, a panel cut with one of the Everyday Details Dies for a little border interest, and a sentiment from the Thoughtful Moments hybrid embossing folder and die set. A diecut rainbow from the same set for a final pop of colour completes my card. There are some great little dies in this set in addition to those that cut out the embossed sentiments that are perfect for clean and simple cards or an extra embellishment. I decided to go with an all-white sentiment with no colour outline:

 

A little unusual, but I actually quite like it! 

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.

Bee Mine Valentines Card PP675

by Joanne James4. February 2024 08:00

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's my turn to host this week and I have a timely theme challenge for us to work with:

       

This week it's theme week and since February is here and Valentine's Day is around the corner, I chose the theme of 'Love'. Your card doesn't have to be a Valentine's card - it could be for a wedding anniversary or simply to say 'I love you', but should be made with a loved one in mind. I almost went with a pink and red heart-filled creation, but more of that later in the week! For today I wanted to make a bright and colourful Valentine's card featuring those cheerful bees and the Bee Mine suite - I just can't get enough of them! I used the sketch over at Try A Sketch On Tuesday for my layout and this is what I came up with:

 

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

Bee Mine - I cut three panels of Bee Mine designer series paper and mounted them onto Sweet Sorbet cardstock before adding to my Lemon Lime Twist cardbase. In hindsight I should have made them shorter and positioned them higher to be more faithful to the TSOT sketch, but I was so keen to show off as much of the pattern as possible I overlooked that detail when I adhered them to my card and positioned them more centrally. Hopefully the ladies over there will forgive me ;-)

Bee My Valentine - I anchored my sentiment from the 'Bee My Valentine' stamp set with a bee, stamped from the same set and punched out with the Bee Builder Punch. This punch really is so versatile; it will punch the bee's body and wings, but also has a small heart that can be used as a heart or to punch out the bee's antennae. The wings double-up as larger heart too and the bee body could also work as a speech bubble - so many creative possibilities! I love a punch that has multiple uses!

Armed With A Tip - I made my bee in the likeness of one of the ones in the designer series paper pattern. I added a couple of dots of red to her cheeks and a pair of arms, to hold her fussy cut flower. And so to my tip! If you are not confident adding your arms freehand, you can use the negative space of the punched bee body as a stencil: simply place the rounded 'head' of the stencil onto the body and draw in the arms with a Stampin' Write marker. You're welcome! 

I'm also linking today's card up with my friends over at SUO Challenges where the theme is 'Valentine's Day'. This card is going to be my Valentine's card for the youngest of the James Juniors; not too girly, blue hearts and a punny sentiment - I think it might just be considered acceptable for a discerning teenager!

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. 

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

Here's a quick recap of our challenge rules:
 
1.  Create a new paper project
2.  Upload your creation to your blog with a link back to us and provide a direct link to the post featuring your challenge submission.
3.  Please link your card to no more than four challenges, TOTAL.
4.  Have FUN!

Enjoy 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.

Flight And Airy Floral Panelled Cards

by Joanne James3. February 2024 19:30

Today I'm sharing a card that uses the same products to create two different looks. I used the sketch layouts over at Tuesday Morning Sketches and Inspire.Create for each of my cards:

   

Both cards feature a sentiment 'Hooray For Surprises', a label cut with the Everyday Details Dies and designer series paper from the free Sale-A-Bration Flight & Airy pack. Here's the first card, with a blue colour scheme:

 

Here's the second card, with a pink colour scheme; I've also added some (retired) Garden Green ribbon and a bow to this version:

 

You know how much I love the Flight & Airy papers - no fussy cutting today though! The pattern detail of these papers lends them to be used on clean, uncluttered cards. The panel designs of both of the layouts are a great way to add interest. I love the diecut detail on the labels too:

 

These are great designs if you need to knock out multiples too. I'll be sending these to members of my team to celebrate their Stampin' Up! anniversaries - the inside of my cards reads 'you are simply amazing' - because they are. With Sale-A-Bration being a great time to join Stampin' Up!, there are always anniversaries to celebrate at this time of year!

Finally, here's a photo of both cards together:

 

Which design do you prefer? 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 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.

Hooray For Surprises Gender Reveal Card AYSI316

by Joanne James2. February 2024 13:00

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

    

Time to confess, crafty shoppers - what was the last thing you purchased? At first glance you might be thinking I'm pulling your leg today, as my card features the 'Sweet Songbirds' stamp set and co-ordinating punch, both of which I've had for ages and shared several times before. Look more closely though and you will see I paired them with my most recent craft purchase: the 'Hooray For Surprises' bundle - take a look:

 

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

Hooray For Surprises - The 'Hooray For Surprises' bundle is so fun! The dies create perforated edges with a tab that allow you to easily create your own interactive cards. Simply pull the tab to reveal the message inside! I've been creating with this bundle a lot in recent weeks as it features in the next 'Join In With Joanne and Jan' craft tutorial bundle that I create with the lovely Jan Clothier. There are so many different ways you can create with the stamp set and dies together in this bundle, but for my card today I wanted to use one of the dies to show that there are tons of possibilities when you combine them with other sets too. I used Jen T's fabulous sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches this week as my starting point (turned through 90 degrees) and paired the largest of the round circle tab dies with my pair of birds and nest for a fun gender reveal card.

Here's the card front with a close up of the tab before opening:

 

It's A ... - When the tab is removed, there is a message underneath that reveals whether or not the mummy and daddy bird parents are expecting a boy or a girl - check it out below:

Isn't that so fun?! I made two cards, showing both boy and girl inserts. Here's a close up of the baby girl version: 

 And here's the baby boy version:

 

I stamped the surprise greeting with a combination of sets: the 'It's a' is from a couple of the sets in the Sweet Songbirds set and the 'Baby Boy/Baby Girl' comes from a long-retired set called 'Itty Bitty Baby', but you could just as easily hand write your own message or type one on the computer. So what do you think? I think this would make a lovely card to announce an impending birth to soon-to-be grandparents, for example, but I'd love to hear your thoughts - why not leave me a comment below!

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. 

Remember if you purchase the 'Hooray For Surprises' bundle from either myself if you are in the UK or Europe or Jan if you are in New Zealand, then you will receive our tutorial featuring this set for FREE, along with access to our Private Facebook Group for more tips and tricks too. In addition, if you purchase before the end of February you will only be £1 away from a free Sale-A-Bration gift too!

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 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.

Hot Air Balloon Love Is In The Air Clean And Simple

by Joanne James30. January 2024 09:00

Today I'm sharing a card that I made with a a few challenges in mind:

         

As we approach Valentine's Day next month love is definitely in the air, so I decided to have some fun and grabbed a little 'something old, something new' and set to work. Take a look at what I came up with:

 

You may be wondering how inspiration can come from a variety of sources - well, read on and all will become clear! Here's the low-down on today's card:

Stencil Times Two I so wanted to play with the ladies over at Just Us Girls where this week it's anything goes with stencils; I decided to go clean and simple and create a stencilled sky then when I saw the badge over at TGIF Challenges I thought 'why not make my sky heart-shaped?' so it decided me on my layout, a pink sky inset within a heart. These were both stencils I created myself using dies in my collection. Firstly, I placed my heart stencil, then using my Bubble Bath ink and blending brush I overlaid my cloud stencil and working down the heart, added in clouds across my soft pink sky - which is also perfect for the challenge over at Addicted to CAS this week.

Love is ... - I decided to have some fun with my sentiment, so took the 'Love' die from the Love For You Die set, diecut it then snipped the L away from the OVE, and adhered them to my card base, overlaying my stencilled heart sky, leaving space for my hot air balloon in place of the O. I completed my sentiment with a stamp from the old retired stamp set 'Sunshine Sayings'.

 

...in the Air - Having seen the optional theme of 'Love is in the air' over at AAA Cards, I thought this would be a great time to feature the heart-shaped hot air balloon in the new Hot Air Balloon bundle, which I think worked perfectly in place of the O in the word LOVE. Nothing else needed for my card which, for something so simple, actually involved much thought and was inspired by each of the above challenges in their own way. This sweet card would work perfectly for Valentine's or any time to let someone know you love them.

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.

Heartfelt Hellos Mothers Day Card FMS620

by Joanne James29. January 2024 14:50

Today I'm sharing a card that I made using Jacquie's layout over at Freshly Made Sketches that also showcases the colour palette over at Hand Stamped Sentiments:

   

I couldn't resist a quick FMS entry this week since Jacquie's sketch is something of a 'go to' layout for me; the large circle works to showcase either a sentiment or an image with the smaller elements also offering lots of options. Today I decided to go with a sentiment from one of my Sale-A-Bration stamp sets, called 'Heartfelt Hellos' - take a look:

 

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

Heartfelt Hellos - I previously showcased the 'hello' from this set (if you missed that card, you can see it here) so today I thought I'd go with the larger Mother's Day sentiment (ages away, I know but it pays to be organised!) The 'heartfelt hellos' set has 6 different sentiments that work for lots of occasions: Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Dad's Birthday, Valentine's Day, Anniversary, Birthdays and general wishes too. What's more it's FREE with a product purchase of £45 or more - bonus!

Paper Florist Bold Blooms - I used my Paper Florist Dies to create two bold blooms to accent my sentiment circle. I love the bold colour palette from Hand Stamped Sentiments, but needed to add in some white to balance these strong colours. I love how quickly these diecut flowers come together and here they pack a colourful punch:

Basics Embossing - Finally, I decided to emboss the base of my card with one of the 3D Basics Embossing Folders. I haven't used this EF on anything before, but decided that these deep colours and my otherwise clean and uncluttered card could take the addition of the embossed finish. What do you think - do you like the added texture? 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'm having a crafty start to my week so I'm off to get back to it! Enjoy the rest of 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.

Flight And Airy Birds On A Wire PP674

by Joanne James28. January 2024 08:00

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the fabulous Jaydee to host this week and she has my favourite, a sketch challenge for us to work with:

 

I wanted to make another card using some of the birds that I'd fussy cut from the Flight & Airy designer series paper, so I chose 5 of the large birds for my elements and set to work - take a look:

 

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

I went for a simple, skinny slimline with just a few layers and a border of Orchid Oasis and Night of Navy to pick up the blues of the feathers:

 

A simple sentiment from 'Pansy Patch' and some co-ordinating baker's twine for my birds to balance on completes my card. The beauty of so much Sale-A-Bration free paper? Plenty spare to make a pretty, custom co-ordinating envelope 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 Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

Here's a quick recap of our challenge rules:
 
1.  Create a new paper project
2.  Upload your creation to your blog with a link back to us and provide a direct link to the post featuring your challenge submission.
3.  Please link your card to no more than four challenges, TOTAL.
4.  Have FUN!

Enjoy your day; I am looking forward to a day of cooking and Lego building, having treated myself to a kit in a recent sale. I haven't built any in a while, so that should be fun! 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.

Flight And Airy Quintet

by Joanne James27. January 2024 19:00

I am currently having a love affair with the pretty Flight and Airy paper that is one of the products that you can get FREE with a £45 order during the current Sale-A-Bration promotion and have another card to share that features it, this time using the sketch layout over at Tuesday Morning Sketches:

 

I could have taken the easy route and just added a piece of designer paper for the top panel of the card, but instead decided to add a piece of cross-hatched embossed paper and fussy cut a piece of the pattern featuring branches, flowers and a quintet of pretty birds:

 

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

I added my panel to a Petal Pink base, having added a little Petal Pink ink to my hatched panel behind the birds. Here's a close-up of the detail - time consuming, but very theraputic and so worth it for the delicate finished result:

I added a row of diecut flowers with gem centres to echo the detail of the the sketch and finished with a simple sentiment banner from 'Timeless Arrangements'. What do you think? If fussy cutting isn't your thing, you could just use the paper as a flat panel - it's so pretty, it would look great that way 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 evening 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.

New Online Exclusives

There are new products available exclusively in the online store from 5 November - check them out here.

Latest Kits!

Stampin Cut and Emboss

The Layered Landscapes Kit and Nature's Paintings Kit are the latest kits in the online store - get yours here!

Shop Online

Access my online shop 24 x 7, 365 days of the year:

Current November hostess code:

9NKXDTTR

Shop Online

Mini Catalogue

BROWSE THE CATALOGUE

'Tis The Season - the new Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogue is here! For more details and to download your copy click here

Scrapbooking

Stampin' Up! has introduced a new range of 12x12" scrapbooking product and kit - the full range is now available to purchase online. To download a copy of the new digital Scrapbooking Catalogue click here.

2024-25 Annual Catalogue

BROWSE THE CATALOGUE

Click on the image to download your copy of the 2024-25 annual catalogue. For a full list of current SU! supplies, go to my online store. If you would like any help or advice, please drop me a line at joanne@thecraftyowl.co.uk or give me a call on 07773 421446 - I'd be happy to help.

Join My Team

It's always a great time to join Stampin’ Up! During October you can get even more in your starter kit! New team members can get £160 worth of products for only £99 + free business supplies + free shipping + all the fun being a part of Stampin’ Up! Stampin' Up! has something for everyone: join my growing team and benefit from my support to enjoy Stampin' Up! however you choose.

If you're interested, call me for a chat to understand how I can help you realise your goals. Alternatively, if you have already decided to sign up and you just can't wait, please click here for the link to the online form where you can sign up and order your starter kit right away! 

About Me

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!

Follow Me

Monthly Newsletter

Box Builder

Click the button above to use Box Buster to create your custom box design using the Envelope Punch Board!

Kits Collection Now Available!

Stampin Cut and Emboss

The new Kits Collection from Stampin' Up! is now available!

Click here to see the current kits available and order yours online today.

I Design For

 

 

 

Stampin' Up Stuff

This is my personal blog and is not endorsed by Stampin’ Up! I hope you find it a plentiful source of ideas and personal inspiration but please don't copy my designs for contest submission or use for classes, publication or sale without express permission.