Back again with the last of my teacher cards (I think!) this year - this time a pop-up card using my dress up framelits. The credit for this design goes to Fran Sabad; you can see her original card, a teacher birthday card, here. If you're looking for ways to use your Dress Up Framelits, I thoroughly recommend you check out Fran's blog - she has made some amazing cards using the Pop 'n' Cuts base and co-ordinating framelits. I thought this card would work equally well as a teacher thank you card with a few minor alterations and give me yet another opportunity to get stuck in to my Storytime DSP. So here is the outside of my card:

It's the inside that is the real star of the show though - a teacher mannequin in her classroom, in front of a traditional blackboard:

I absolutely love this card, complete with all the little details - check out the apple on the corner of the teacher's desk - how cute is that?! In case you're wondering about the glimmer paper 'brooch' pinned to the teacher's blouse, I know it looks a little out of place against the muted colours and traditional classroom feel, but Rebecca's teacher has what can only be described as a glitter obsession - she can't complete an art project without using tons of the stuff, so I know she wouldn't think this card complete without just a little bit of 'bling'. I wish I could convert her to the benefits of SU no-shed glimmer paper; well, Ben is likely to have her as his teacher the year after next, so there's still time!

The funniest thing about this card was when I showed it to Rebecca to see if it met with her approval; she said, "I love it - but why is there a blackboard? We've never had one of those in the classroom Mummy, all our classrooms have interactive whiteboards". What can I say? A sign of the times and made me feel quite old!

Back tomorrow with something different; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Word Play (retired), For My Family (retired)

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Pink Pirouette, Gumball Green, Crumb Cake, Storytime DSP

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Cherry Cobbler

Tools: 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Large Scallop Edgelits, Dress Up Framelits, Pop 'n' Cuts Card Base

Finishing Touches: White Baker's Twine, Silver Glimmer Paper

Apologies for a few blog-less days - lots going on in the James household, and most of it not at home! Both James juniors have had their sports day this week and Rebecca has just finished a three night run singing in her school musical 'Bugsy Malone'; I honestly feel like I've been running around like a mad thing these last few days. Having put up tents and got out the sand and garden play toys this morning, I spent a couple of hours finishing my ironing before it got too hot (I'm not complaining - I love that summer has arrived at last!) and following a pleasant lunch in the garden, I'm now taking the opportunity to catch up with my blogging whilst cheering on Andy Murray in the Wimbledon Men's Final.

So, another teacher thank you card from me today - this time an old fashioned blackboard, which gave me the opportunity to have a little go at the 'chalkboard' technique that is so on-trend in the world of papercrafting at the moment. So here is my card:

It's based on a teacher Valentine's card that I saw on Pinterest but I think it makes a nice simple teacher thank you card. Once I stamped the sentiment, I just used a sponge to smudge some of the white ink across the card to give the impression of chalk dust. I stamped the inside with a bright red 'Thanks a MILLION' from the retired 'Word Play' stamp set, to pick up the red of the apple - well, it is for a teacher, right?!

I also made another teacher thank you card using my Storytime designer series paper - check it out:

I think this paper really lends itself to teacher thank you cards. I'm having fun creating these in between playing with some of the stamp sets from the new annual catalogue.

Should be back on course now with another project to post tomorrow; until then, enjoy the sunshine and happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies (Blackboard Card):

Stamps: For My Family

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red, Gumball Green, Chocolate Chip

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: White, Real Red

Tools: Corner Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Sponge Dauber

I've had a busy day today, amongst other things shooting a video to share with you my absolute favourite new products from the new Stampin' Up! annual catalogue out tomorrow; but you're going to have to wait until tomorrow to see that!

For anyone reading this with children of school age, you will no doubt be looking forward to (or dreading - it depends on your perspective!) the long summer holidays that wigiftll be with us in a few weeks time. With that in mind, I've been making some teacher thank you cards for both of my children to take in and give to their teachers along with a small token of appreciation for their help and support throughout the year. I'll share the gift nearer the end of term, but today I thought I'd share the first two cards I've made. here is the first one:

This is a CASE of a Jen Arkfeld card that I saw on Pinterest and was perfect to use up some of my leftover Storytime DSP. This paper showcases some great images from childhood that make lovely teacher thank yous or even 'best friend' cards and requires very little actual stamping. Having made the above card, I then made a second one that had more of a masculine feel - perfect for my son to give to his teacher:

I even used a strip of the handwriting paper in the background, as this has been one of his key areas of focus this year and something I'm sure his teacher will remember him for!

I hope you like these cards; I have a few more ideas for teacher thank yous that I will be sharing in the next week or so, interspersed with lots of great projects using products from the new annual catalogue. Back tomorrow with the official launch of the new annual catalogue - I can't wait!

Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: For My Family

Cardstock: Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Midnight Muse, Storytime DSP

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Midnight Muse

Tools: 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch

Finishing Touches: Natural Linen Thread, Brights Designer Buttons, Sycamore Street Buttons (Sale-a-bration - retired)