Painted Petals Class Card

by Joanne James10. June 2015 19:52

Having had a busy start to my week with two technique classes and my monthly Project Life Class, I am finally back with my blog today to share with you one of the cards we made in my technique class. The class featured the now retired set 'Painted Petals' from the Spring-Summer Seasonal catalogue; the ladies that attend my classes were so keen to have a class using this set that we decided we would carry it over into June. Here is one of the cards we made:

A beautifully bright and cheery card in Daffodil Delight and Blackberry Bliss. We used some retired All Abloom DSP matted on Blackberry Bliss, alongside a panel of Blackberry Bliss that we embossed with the Spring Flowers embossing folder (also retired), then mounted our panel of Whisper White stamped with the double flower image in Blackberry Bliss and Mossy Meadow (the yellow flower centres were added with a Crushed Curry Stampin' Write marker). To finish we added the sentiment, punched out with a large oval punch and mounted on a piece of yellow cut with the Decorative Label punch. This was our 'finishing up' card, having made a rather more complicated box card beforehand (one to share another day!).

Next month's technique class is featuring the gorgeous new stamp set 'You've Got This'. If you would like to join with me and two groups of the nicest people you could wish to know, do get in touch for more details and to book your place.

That's all from me today; back tomorrow with a card for our new challenge over at Create With Connie And Mary. 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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Cards | Classes | Stamping

New Wednesday Weekly Deals!

by Joanne James10. June 2015 12:04

It's Wednesday and you know what that means: a new collection of Wednesday Weekly Deals! This week's deals are included below - they will be available for one week only, before a new collection of deals is announced. 

As always, if you want to take advantage of any of the deals on offer, you can support my business by placing your order online by clicking here or using the link to my store on the right hand side of my blog page where it says 'Shop Online' or with me in person. Don't forget to add the Hostess Code for June UPCSWX2C and be sure to make sure that you don't check the 'no contact' box if you'd like to be kept updated with the progress of you order and receive a little thank you in the post from me. 

Here's a summary of this week's one-week only Wednesday deals - click on each item to go to the online store to purchase:

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.
 
Lots of great products on offer this week: 'Be the Star' is a great stamp set with many uses, there is a great border punch and piercing templates (including stars - a great pairing for the stamp set!), ribbon, epoxy stickers, scoring plate and my absolute favourite the square framelits - useful for frames, shaker cards, Project Life - and so much more!
 
Back later with today's creative post; until then, happy stampin'!
 
 

Masculine Mini Treat Bag Thinlit Card and Self-Closing Gift Bag Punch Board Bag

by Joanne James7. June 2015 10:00

Yay it's Sunday and time for a new challenge over at The Paper Players - and this week I'm the hostess! With Father's Day approaching, I thought that masculine cards would make a great theme this week and it would at least encourage me to be organised!

I have lots of photos to share with you today, as I made not just one but two projects: a fun card using the mini treat bag thinlits and a matching gift bag using my new Gift Bag Punch Board - oh how I love this!

So first to my card: I've seen a few of these fun cards on Pinterest using the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Die to create a fancy shirt with a sliding insert (one of my favourites is this one by Julie Kettlewell) and have been wanting to have a go at creating my own version for a while. Here it is: 

I have used the now retired Adventure Bound DSP for my card - this paper is just so fabulous for masculine cards and I hope you all stocked up before it retired! The Mini Treat Bag Thinlits are great for making simple slider cards as well as treat bags; I added silver buttons, a pocket punched with my hexagon punch and with a snippet of Island Indigo chevron ribbon in for a handkerchief. For my insert, I cut it taller than my pocket, then snipped in a third of the way each side to create my turned down collar and added my bow tie. The picture below shows the insert with my stamped sentiment from the 'Guy Greetings' stamp set and a pair of shoes to finish off this dapper outfit:

Pleased as I was with this cute little card, I couldn't stop there; I had to create a matching gift bag using my new Gift Bag Punch Board. I think this is going to be one of my new favourite tools - it is so easy to use and offers so many creative possibilities that go beyond the constraints of the board. Here is my bag:

I made my bag using the 'L' measurements on the board and used a sheet of Whisper White cardstock measuring 9 1/2" x 12". Once I'd punched the bottom according to the board instructions, I flipped it around and did the same on the other end, cutting away all except the long flap on the back of the bag, which I then also punched in the middle to create my collar. I then used the collar as the close mechanism for my bag, by tucking it underneath the bow tie - the photo below of the open bag illustrates that more clearly:

I then added two pieces of DSP with co-ordinating lapels and a large silver button threaded with a piece of white jute ribbon trim to finish my bag. Here are both items together:

I'm really pleased with this project duo; the gift bag is large enough for a couple of pairs of socks, some toiletries, a sweet treat (or two!) - pretty much anything that might be on a Dad's wish list. I hope you like them too and they inspire you to create some fun masculine projects this week! Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week, including our three new guest designers:

The Paper Players Design Team
 
 
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 three challenges, TOTAL.
4.  Have FUN! 

I look forward to seeing your masculine creations in the gallery this week. I'm off to finish preparations for this week's technique classes and tackle my mountain of ironing. How does the saying go - no rest for the wicked?!

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.

 

Bohemian Petite Cafe Gift Bag

by Joanne James6. June 2015 21:51

Just time to squeeze in a quick post from me today to share a really quick and easy packaging idea using the Stampin' Up! Petite Cafe gift bags and some lovely new product from the 2015-16 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue:

Isn't the little shopping trolley so cute?! This was a gift to me from my wonderful upline Monica recently and I wanted to share the lovely bag with you. It is decorated with the new Bohemian DSP and a stamped scallop circle with one of the stamps from the new 'Friendly Wishes' stamp set. The banners were punched in seconds using the new Triple Banner Punch and the bag was finished off with some Venetian Crochet Trim and Metallic Gold Baker's Twine. What was inside? Well, that would be telling...but it was yummy!

With packaging so quick and easy to recreate there really is no excuse not to add the handmade touch to your sweet treats!

Back tomorrow with a special project for the new challenge over at The Paper Players where I am the hostess this week. Come back then - I guarantee you won't want to miss it! Until then, happy stampin'! 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

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

 

Best Thoughts Watercolour Card

by Joanne James4. June 2015 08:00

It's Thursday and time for a new challenge over at Create With Connie and Mary and this week we have a colour challenge for you:

 

I decided to do a little watercolouring with one of my favourite sets from the new catalogue - a hostess set called 'Best Thoughts':

I went for a simple layout using a base of So Saffron and an offset panel of Lost Lagoon, then stamped the flower image in Versamark and heat embossed it in white. I stamped the sentiment directly in Lost Lagoon, then used my aquapainter and all three colours to ink my flower. I did the same with the butterfly on a separate piece of watercolour paper and when dry, applied some Dazzling Diamonds to his wings using my two-way glue pen then fussy cut him out and popped him up on a dimensional so it looks as if he has landed on the flower.

I wasn't sure if these colours would work for this card, as you don't really see yellow hydrangeas, however I think this flower looks great in any colour and this colour combination, whilst unusual, is really effective. This is such a beautiful set and is exclusive to customers who host a party (or place an individual order of £150 or more). If you would like to host a Stampin' Up! party and earn this set for free, please do get in touch - I would love to share the loveliness of the new catalogue with you and your friends. Or perhaps you would be interested in joining my Stampers 6 Club - I am just about to start another round so if you would like to get on board, this is perfect timing.

I do hope you like today's card; the rest of the team have used these colours in so many different ways, so do pop by their blogs for even more inspiration. I look forward to seeing your work in our gallery this week. I have another busy day today with a couple of functions to attend; back tomorrow with another project. until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

  • Best Thoughts Clear-Mount Stamp Set
  • Watercolor Paper
  • Embossing Buddy
  • Versamark Pad
  • White Stampin' Emboss Powder
  • Heat Tool (Uk)
  • Aqua Painters
  • Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad
  • Hello Honey Classic Stampin' Pad
  • Lost Lagoon A4 Cardstock
  • So Saffron Classic Stampin' Pad
  • So Saffron A4 Cardstock

 

Guy Greetings Strong Man Card

by Joanne James2. June 2015 17:17

It's been all busy here at the James' today: I have had the first of my Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue Launch Open House sessions and enjoyed welcoming lots of guests to share in the delights of the new catalogue. More on that later in the week, meanwhile for all you lovely blog readers I have a card that I made for a few challenges today: CAS(E) This Sketch, CAS-ual Fridays who are calling for use of tan, white and one bright colour and Less Is More, where they are looking for two legs or four:

   

So with all that in mind and Fathers Day just around the corner, here is today's card:

 

I thought the sketch was an interesting one and whilst my choice of two legs might not seem altogether adventurous, this is the only stamp in my Guy Greetings stamp set that I haven't inked up to date since as much as I love the set, I'm not sure about this fella! I did all my stamping in Soft Suede, stamping the man again on Tangerine Tango cardstock and fussy cutting out his trousers and paper piecing them onto my card base. The arrows I used with my sentiment are from an old photopolymer set (can't remember the name) and I popped the 'DAD' onto a small punched oval over some Tangerine Tango baker's twine for a little more added colour and emphasis. 

That's all from me for today; I'll be back tomorrow with a card for this week's new challenge over at Create With Connie and Mary using a brand new stamp set, so do pop back as you're not going to want to miss it. 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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Cards | Stamping

2015-16 Stampin' Up! Catalogue Is Here - Today You Really Can Have It All!

by Joanne James2. June 2015 09:00

The wait is over - it's June 2nd and the new 2015-16 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue is here! I have updated my links on the right hand side of my blog and you will find a permanent link to the new catalogue there, but for today you need look no further than the picture below which will take you straight to the new catalogue:

 

 

This is a day when you really can have it all though:

  • Today is the last day to order from the 2015 Spring-Summer Occasions Catalogue. There are lots of great products in the 2015 Occasions Catalogue that are going away after June 2.  Read my previous blog post here for the detail.
  • Today is the last day to order from the 2014-2015 Annual Catalogue.  Everything in that catalogue that isn’t carrying over to the 2015-2016 Annual Catalogue is to be found on the Retiring Lists and are available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST - today is the last day to order those items. Many of these items are discounted; there are still some bargains to be had. Check out the remaining retiring items here.
  • Today is the first day that you can order from the 2015-2016 Annual Catalogue. The new catalogue is posted above and will be permanently linked via my blog if you don’t have a paper copy. If you have your paper copy and just want to go straight to the shop to place your order, click here. Don't forget to add the hostess code for June UPCSWX2C if your order is less than £150 and ensure you are set to 'contactable' to receive a thank you in the post from me.
  • Earn Hostess Rewards under the “Old Plan”.  You may have noticed in the new catalogue that Stampin’ Up! has changed the customer rewards plan for purchases over £150.  In the new plan, now called Stampin’ Rewards, customers and hostesses can still earn free product for these larger orders.  While the total reward has decreased at each level (for example, the free product reward on a £150 order decreases from £25 to £15), the rewards are on a sliding scale that allow you to continue to earn for every £ you spend over and above £150. The aim is to make things more straight forward, but as the new plan doesn't take effect until June 3rd for today there is no change. An added benefit of Stampin' Rewards is that they can be used towards a starter kit if you choose to join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator - making the starter kit even better value! Which brings me on to the last 'big news' item for today:
  • Earn Free Stamps in June’s Promotion for New SU! Joiners.  June 2 also kicks off a new promotion for customers to become demonstrators.  As a demonstrator on my team, you will belong to a friendly team where you get to be the first to see and order products from upcoming catalogues. You also get to earn a discount on the products you already love – with no risks or penalties if you don't meet your quarterly minimum.  Starting today when you join, you also earn two free stamp sets of your choice (they’ll be added to your starter kit). These can be any stamps at all from the new catalogue - so if you choose wisely (think alphabets and large sentiment sets!) these two stamp sets alone could be worth £60 or more. The Starter Kit is £99 for £130 of free product of your choice. My team is a mix of both hobby stampers and business demonstrators and I love and appreciate them all.  If you would like to take to me about becoming a demonstrator and joining us, please do get in touch for a no obligation chat about the benefits or call in at either of my open house events this week. Alternatively if you know this is the deal for you, don't delay and click here to join today!

That's a lot of information for one post; if I were you I would put the kettle on, put your feet up and get comfy and settle down with your new catalogue for a browse and start creating that all-important wish list!

Back tomorrow with a new project; until then, happy shopping!

 

Be The Star You Are Shaker Card

by Joanne James1. June 2015 11:49

Happy Monday everyone! I have a busy week ahead so I'm starting it with a quick post for this week's Freshly Made Sketches challenge that also features the current colours over at Fab Friday:

       

The FMS sketch has been designed by the super-talented Karren Johnson, currently guesting with us over at The Paper Players, so I just had to play along. I decided to make a little 'encouragement' card today - with a fun shaker twist too:

I used Marina Mist for the base of my card and created a frame of Night of Navy using my big Shot and Square Framelits, which I backed with a piece of acetate window sheet. I wanted a 'flat' shaker for this card, so having punched some stars in each of the challenge colours and some gold glimmer paper using my Confetti Stars Border Punch, I stamped my 'be the star' sentiment in navy onto Whisper White, laid the stars on top, then attached this to the back of the window. To finish, I added a trio of stars in Hello Honey, two stamped in Hello Honey and the larger one stamped in Night of Navy, from the 'Be The Star' stamp set, attaching the larger one with dimensionals for added lift and adding some gold glimmer stars to the star centres.

I chose to feature the blues primarily on my card, as Hello Honey is not a favourite of mine and is not a colour I am immediately drawn to, however I think the Fab Friday crew settled upon a great colour combo here as the yellow looks really quite nice with the blue; I may well use this colour combo again!

That's all from me today; I'm off to prepare more goodies for my Open House sessions later this week (you can read full details here). 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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Cards | Stamping

Hip Hip Hooray For The Paper Players

by Joanne James31. May 2015 10:00

It's Sunday and time for a new challenge over at The Paper Players. You totally rocked Anne-Marie's sketch last week; this week it's the turn of the lovely Laurie, who has a tic-tac-toe challenge to stretch our creative brains:

   

I normally struggle with these, yet I seem to be on a real creative roll this week as I had a ton of different ideas and combinations for today's grid. I settled on combining my card with this week's sketch over at Pals Paper Arts and challenging myself to use something that I have lots of but sometimes use for little more than decorating an envelope: washi tape. I decided the sketch was perfect for showcasing some of the new Bohemian washi tape that I received with my pre-order goodies - here's my card:

I used a base of Delightful Dijon and a mat of Island Indigo, then cut a piece of Very Vanilla to the shape of the zig zag on the sketch. Starting at the zig zag end, I then covered my whole piece in strips of washi tape, creating an open herringbone effect and alternating between each of the three designs. Once I had covered the entire piece of cardstock, I adhered it to the card base using dimensionals. For my sentiment panel, I cut a rectangle of Very Vanilla and rounded the corners using my Project Life corner rounder and stamped it with the 'Hip Hip Hooray' greeting from the 'Bravo' stamp set in Island Indigo. I added a scattering of Bermuda Bay sequins to finish before popping this up on dimensionals too. I'm sure you've worked it out, but just in case I was following the top line of the tic tac toe board: washi tape, any shade of blue and sequins. I really quite like this card - it seemed almost a shame to cover my lovely pattern with the sentiment panel!

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

The Paper Players Design Team
 
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 three challenges, TOTAL.
4.  Have FUN! 

I look forward to seeing how many different combinations of the grid we see in the gallery this week. I'm off to prepare lunch as we have some friends visiting today and then I have to get two of the other three members of the James household ready for trips away this week - a busy, yet fun day ahead!

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

A4 Delightful Dijon -available 2nd June

Bohemian washi tape - available 2nd June

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

 

Maritime Sailor Card

by Joanne James30. May 2015 21:01

Today I'm sharing a card I made for this week's Mojo Monday challenge using a stamp I've yet to use even though it is about to retire (oops!) Here is this week's sketch:

This week is 'tall and skinny' week so my card is taller than usual - my actual dimensions are 7" x 4" - and has a distinctly nautical theme:

I am continuing my quest to use more DSP on my cards and this one features the retiring Maritime papers, one of my favourites. I used a base of Real Red and a mat of Night of Navy, then covered the front of the card with a piece of DSP. I cut a banner out of a co-ordinating piece of Maritime DSP and a double-ended one from Coastal Cabana cardstock, both of which were made using my new Triple Banner Punch. I then added a piece of Night of Navy cardstock, slightly wider than my card, and tied with a sailor's knot in Coastal Cabana thick baker's twine. The main focal point of my card is the round sailor stamp from the stamp set 'Adventure Awaits', which I stamped twice, once in Night of Navy on Whisper White and once in Real Red, and fussy cut the words from the centre of the red one and overlaid them onto the navy one. My friend LeAnne did this on a card a while ago and I loved the effect, so was keen to include it here. You can see LeAnne's original card here. I can't believe we are three days before the Spring-Summer seasonal catalogue ends and I'm only just using this stamp! 

This card is so fresh and fun and would be great to send to a friend who needed a little motivation and encouragement. That's all from me today; back tomorrow with my card for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players. 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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Cards | Stamping

Mini Catalogue

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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!

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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.