Thoughtful Journey Square Split Panel Card FMS635

by Joanne James13. May 2024 08:00

 

Happy Monday everyone - welcome to a new week! As promised last week, I have another card showcasing the beautiful Thoughtful Journey papers, this time using Jen B's layout over at Freshly Made Sketches:

I did tweak Jen's layout slightly, making it into a square card because I just couldn't bear to not use the whole of my sheet of designer paper - take a look to see one of the designs in all its uncut glory:

 

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

I split my paper into two pieces, cutting down the front of my card to house the larger portion then adding the narrower piece to the card base so that it is also visible when opened. I added a simple sentiment from 'Thoughtful Wishes' to the front of my card, anchored by a shiny pearl:

 

When the card is open, you can see both the edge of the scene and the insert, which I also decorated with one of the florals in the 'Thoughtful Wishes' set:

 

This card was so simple and easy to create - the Thoughtful Journey designer paper really does do all the hard work.

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; I am starting my week with lots more household jobs to tick off my list. 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.

Painted Lavender Clean and Simple Florals PP689

by Joanne James12. May 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 Ann to host this week and she has a fun colour challenge for us to work with:

       

I originally made the card that I shared yesterday with today's challenge in mind, but decided that the designer paper added too much in the way of additional colours, so I made another card and decided to create something really clean and simple that would allow Ann's colour choices to shine - take a look:

 

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

A simple cluster of diecut lavender and foliage in each of the challenge colours, with an additional stem in Gorgeous Grape for my extra colour. I used a neat technique that I'd seen another demonstrator, Michelle Last, use on a card, where she cut a couple of lines either either side of a stamped sentiment (mine is from the retired set 'Perennial Postage') and the posy of flowers is tucked in between the slits:

A trio of Fresh Freesia enamel dots complete my card. I used the sentiment on today's card as I thought it would be perfect for Mother's Day (a shoutout to all my overseas friends celebrating today), or in fact to celebrate Mums on any day. We've already celebrated Mother's Day here in the UK this year, but this card is perfect to send to my Mum at any time, to remind her low much she is appreciated. I'm playing along with a few additional challenges too: I'm linking my card up over at CAS on Friday and at Addicted To CAS where the theme is 'flower(s)' and over at SUO Challenges where the team are celebrating Mums.

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; we will be making the most of the sunshine and enjoying our second BBQ of the year before the rain returns later in the week. 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.

Perennial Lavender Bouquet

by Joanne James11. May 2024 19:15

Today I've a quick post as I'm off to watch the Eurovision song contest! I'm sharing a card using this week's layout over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge:

 

Those balloons reminded me of a posy of Painted Lavender stems, so that's what I created as the focal point on my card - take a look:

 

I added some strips of Perennial Lavender designer series paper (I'm so pleased this has carried over and is still available) and some Lost Lagoon linen ribbon to my card, box pleating one of my strips for added interest. I tied my posy with a linen thread bow and added a tiny tag for my sentiment:

 

A trio of purple sparkly gems complete my 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. 

Enjoy your evening - I'm off to see if the UK can manage a winning entry this year! I'll be 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.

Thoughtful Journey Autumn Thanks

by Joanne James9. May 2024 15:02

Today I'm having a lovely day sat in my office with the sunshine streaming through the window and working on some projects to share with you. Whilst I was working on some design commitments, I decided to make a quick card to squeak in an entry over at Sunday Stamps, where their current sketch is too good to pass up:

I've been working my way through a pack of Thoughtful Journey designer series paper as I design projects for my upcoming Thoughtful Wishes Tutorial with my lovely friend Jan Clothier and whilst I haven't shared any of them with you yet, this layout was just asking to showcase one of the beautiful designs in this fabulous paper pack take a look:

 

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

I created both of the layers from my card from one sheet of paper, showcasing the warm Cajun Craze shaded grasses and using the right-hand side of the sheet with the lighter colours for the layer behind for a hint of contrast. I diecut my banner pieces in Old Olive using one of the Nested Essentials Dies and added a simple thanks sentiment from 'Thoughtful Wishes':

 

A simple green linen twine bow and sprinkle of copper sequins was all that I needed to complete my card. The thoughtful Journey papers really do contain such beautiful scenes, it's a shame to cover them up too much. I will have lots more cards to share featuring these papers in the coming weeks, so be sure to stay tuned.

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 the rest of your day; it does feel strange to be making a card in autumnal colours given that I think summer has finally arrived here in the UK, so much so that I enjoyed lunch in the garden today. Dare I say if this keeps up, we might even be able to BBQ at the weekend - fingers crossed! I'll be back tomorrow with another project for our new challenge over at As You See It. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

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

Playful Pets Birthday Card

by Joanne James6. May 2024 19:30

I've been decorating today so a super quick card to share that I made yesterday. I was continuing to challenge myself with diagonal layouts and made a super quick card for the challenge over at Time Out Challenges using up a bunch of retired Playful Pets designer paper that was perfect for their inspiration photo this week:

Here's my card:

 

I used the retired 'Biggest Wish' stamp set for my diagonal greeting and paired my puppy paper with some Pecan Pie gingham.

That's all from me - back with a card made using lots of new things tomorrow!

Wanted to Say Celebrate Good Times PP688

by Joanne James5. May 2024 08:00

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the fabulous LeAnne's turn to host this week and she has a fun challenge for us to work with:

       

Animal antics - what fun! I decided to embrace the diagonal of Kim's layout over at Freshly Made Sketches this week - I usually shy away from diagonals, but since I hadn't had the opportunity to play along for a couple of weeks and the Design Team had produced such beautiful cards as always, I thought it was time to remedy that - and also played along with the 'music' theme over at Global Design Project #GDP443 this week. I have two things I need to say upfront: today's card does feature a whole bunch of recently retired product (I'm still trying to use up some favourites!) and secondly, I apologise now if today's card leaves you with an earworm you can't stop singing! Time to share my card - take a look:

 

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

Celebrate Good Times Come On - Yes - who else is now singing along to that classic 80s hit by Kool and the Gang?! Kim envisaged a large sentiment along her diagonal, so I decided to feature the 'celebrate' diecut from the Wanted to Say Dies. I paired it with the words 'good times' stamped from the retired set 'Let The Good Times Roll' to complete my greeting and of course I needed a singer for my song; enter in the singing tortoise from the retired Zoo Crew designer paper - the perfect pop star!

A Star Is Born - I used three different starry elements on my card to create a cohesive design: a panel embossed with the retired Lucky Stars Embossing Folder, a piece of star-patterned designer paper from the retired Bright & Beautiful paper pack and finally some Lemon Lolly stars diecut using another of the dies in the Wanted To Say Dies set. I think it's fair to say that my singing tortoise, just like the intended recipient of my card, has 'star' quality:

Take Two - I originally wanted to use a piece of circle patterned paper for my card, but only had a few scraps left. Once I'd made my starry version, I decided I would go back and make another one using my originally chosen paper. I had to alter the angle of the diagonal slightly in order to make it work. Instead of the embossed panel, I stamped some circles using the retired 'Circle Sayings' stamp set in coordinating colours. Here's my second card:

 

I thought I would prefer this card, but actually ended up liking my starry version better - go figure! Which one 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 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; it was a beautiful day yesterday, which is just as well since the youngest of the James Juniors had his first cricket match of the season with his new club. He received his cap, did some great bowling and fielding and came home happy as the team won their game too. I'm hoping for another warm day today, but we do have a Bank Holiday long weekend here in the UK this weekend, so that usually means rain! 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 Petunia Pop In Colour Card

by Joanne James4. May 2024 19:35

Hello! I finally managed to get some time in my craft room today so managed to whip up a few projects to share with you this coming week. Today I'm sharing a quick card I made using the layout over at Try A Sketch on Tuesday that was perfect for a monochromatic card featuring one of the new in-colours, Petunia Pop:

 

Here's my card  - take a look:

 

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

I used one of my Around The Bend Dies to cut a curved piece of in-colour designer paper, and paired it with a stamped flower from the 'Hooray For Surprises' stamp set, along with some white foliage and a sentiment from the same set. I finished my card with a trio of sparkly glimmer dots:

 

This card came together really easily and it was fun to play with another of the new in-colours. Do you have a favourite yet? I need to have a bit more of a play before I decide which one gets my top vote, but in the meantime I'd love to hear your thoughts so do 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. 

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.

A Latte Love For PP687

by Joanne James28. April 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 my favourite, a sketch challenge for us to work with:

    

There are so many was I could have used my sketch; I wanted to have a play with the Latte Love online exclusives suite, so thought I would make a fun coffee-themed card - take a look:

 

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

I used three different patterns of the A Little Latte designer series paper on my card: one for the swirly background, another in a contrasting plaid pattern for the four squares that I diecut using the Stylish Shapes Dies and a third for the coffee cup itself, which I diecut from the designer paper itself:

A heat-embossed sentiment and a trio of swirl dots were all I needed to complete my card. This card actually came together really quickly once I'd chosen my patterns; I really love those creamy coffee swirls that I used for the background. It's really worth checking out the range of exclusives in the online store; These online exclusive products are available outside of catalogue publications, so will be available whilst stocks last for the foreseeable future.

I'm also playing along with my old teamies over at TicTacToe Challenge (waves enthusiastically!) this week: I went across the bottom row with gem or embellishment/patterned paper/diecuts.

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 can't wait to see how you interpret my sketch this week. I'll be back later this week 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.

Sweet Thoughts Memories & More Interactive Card Using Hooray For Surprises Dies

by Joanne James24. April 2024 11:00

I have another card to share with you today, this time inspired by the challenges over at Festive Friday (I chose green, thread and interactive) and the butterfly inspiration over at TGIF Challenges:

   

I love Memories & More cards both for scrapbooking and card making and I've used lots of them previously to make quick clean and simple cards. Today I've something a little different though; whilst my card still focuses on the Sweet Thoughts Memories & More card pack and card base and envelopes, I've paired with the Hooray For Surprises bundle to make a fun interactive card - take a look:

 

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

Sweet Thoughts - The Sweet Thoughts Memories & More cards and card and envelope sets are perfect for quick cards. All of the main elements I used to decorate my printed card base came from the card pack - a large butterfly and two sentiments:

 

All of them are stickers so have self-adhesive backs, but you can easily add with dimensionals too if you'd prefer a little lift as I've done here. The only other thing I added was a twine bow using some coordinating retired thread that I had in my stash.

Hooray For Surprises - I could have stopped there, but I thought another of the cards in the Sweet Thoughts pack would make a fun 'reveal'. I spent a little time marking my card front where I needed to place my Hooray For Surprises long pull tab. The die is longer than I wanted, given the addition of my large butterfly, but this wasn't a problem; I simply used a partial diecutting technique to diecut each one in two stages, which allowed me to shorten it without issue. I stamped the word 'pull' onto the end of each tab, and added a flower sticker from the card pack to embellish each one:

 

The second M&M card that I used is placed underneath the top layer, being careful to adhere around the edges and leave the tabbed area free.

The Big Reveal - So what's underneath the tabs? I created a 'false top' template using some spare card so that you can see what you'll see when those tabs are pulled:

 

So not only is the recipient sweet - but beautiful, amazing, fabulous, lovely and wonderful too! The hooray For Surprises Dies are such a great way to add a fun interactive element to card. One last thing - you will notice that I needed to trim the second M&M card down so that the sentiment would appear where I wanted to. Don't discard the spare edge piece though - I added mine as a little extra decoration to the inside of my card. 

So what do you think? A fun way to combine these products, right? I will be sending this card to my lovely daughter who is at university - I'm sure she will love it. This is a great opportunity to remind you that the Hooray For Surprises bundle is just one of those featured in the monthly tutorials I create with my good friend and fellow demonstrator Jan Clothier. This tutorial contains lots more ideas and ways to use this bundle and is yours for FREE when you purchase the Hooray For Surprises bundle from either Jan or myself. So why not add it to your basket now - add some Memories & More cards and you can have a go at today's card 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 on Friday with another project for our new challenge over at As You See It. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

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

 

Sending A Handmade Hug With Crafting With You

by Joanne James24. April 2024 09:00

Happy hump day everyone! I am playing blog catch-up today as I've been making more than I've had time to blog, so today will be a two-post Wednesday! First up I'm sharing a card for this week's challenge over at Inspired By where I couldn't resist those cake pop colours and am still riding high on my win from last week (you can see that card here if you missed it). I also used the sketch layout. No cake on this card though - instead I combined with the fun quote over at Time Out Challenges:

       

I went crafty - take a look:

 

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

I diecut a dozen cotton reels using the Crafting With You Dies in the colours of those cake pops, and finished with a sentiment from the coordinating stamp set stamped into an embroidery hoop; I layered up the hoop for a little extra dimension and added both the hoop and insert to a punched 2" circle for a little extra stability:

 

Super clean and simple! I'm sending this card to my Mum, who is an avid quilter - I suspect it might lead to a request for a few more so that she can share with the ladies who attend her weekly sewing class. Good job there are double dies for the cotton reels, allowing me to cut 4 at a time! 'The Crafting With You' stamp set and dies are on carryover into the new catalogue, but not as a bundle, so you've only a week left if you'd like to take advantage of the 10% bundle savings.

A reminder that the clearance rack in the online store updated yesterday - lots of bargains still to be had! You can check it out in my online store here.

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 shortly with my second post. 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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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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