I'm hoping for a super-efficient day today: the dinner is already prepared and in the slow cooker, I've managed a few admin tasks and I'm getting my blog post in nice and early before I crack on with more creating and ticking a few more things off my ever-growing 'to do' list - I love days like this! Today I'm sharing two versions of essentially the same card - you'll see why shortly!

I loved the colours over at CAS Colours and Sketches this week and had a specific card in mind that I thought would also work for the challenge over at Less is More, where the challenge is One Layer cards featuring Spring flowers. So here are the CAS colours this week:

These colours reminded my of iris, a spring flower that we are starting to see in bloom now; I decided to use the orchid stamp from the Happy Watercolour set for my card (an iris is a type of orchid, right?!) because I needed to be able to create something abstract without any green and the stamps in this set are perfect for this. So here is my one layer card:

Instead of using one of the watercolour pieces to colour the flowers, I decided the bold colours needed something different so used one of the Gorgeous Grunge 'splodge' stamps instead; I saw something similar at a recent training event by Laura Mackie and decided this stamp would work nicely with the bold colour scheme. The splodges look random, but are perfectly placed: with the aid of my Stamp-a-ma-jig, it was easy to get the correct placement that I wanted.  I then finished off with the 'happy' sentiment from the Happy Watercolour set - I love the font on this stamp. Having made this one layer card, I then decided to 'step it up' a little - here is my second card:

This time I layered on a base of Perfect Plum and finished the sentiment with some co-ordinating Candy Dots, rounding one corner of the white layer with my Envelope Punch Board. Some subtle additions, but they give the card quite a different look I think. I like both of these cards  - which one do you prefer?

The 'Happy Watercolour' stamp set will feature in my classes on 28th and 30th April - if you live in Northampton and would like to join me to make some beautiful cards using this set, please get in touch for more information and to book your place. You can find my full class schedule here.

Right, I'm off to get inky! Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Happy Watercolor	Gorgeous Grunge	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad	Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad	Perfect Plum Classic Stampin' Pad
Perfect Plum A4 Card Stock	Regals Candy Dots	Stamp-A-Ma-Jig	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Envelope Punch Board
Jet Black Stazon Pad	Stazon Cleaner

Firstly, thank you to everyone who has left comments on my blog, Facebook page, youTube channel or emailed me in person with comments and praise for my new Box Buster tool - I am genuinely touched that you have gone out of your way to share with me what a great tool you think this is and I'm delighted to be able to share it with you. Today I'm back with another video tutorial showing you a different box that you can make using your Envelope Punch Board - an open topped Easter bunny treat box - made using paper from the lovely Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper stack:

Sometimes you want to be able to see the contents of your box and today's box is just perfect for that. It also means that when you're making your box out of such lovely double-sided designer paper, you get a lovely glimpse of the reverse side too:

I love the Fresh Prints DSP stack - these paper stacks are great for small boxes and perfect if you're a card maker; I always get through several of these each season! Today's boxes were made to fit the Malteser Easter bunnies that are currently on sale in store right now, but as always with the aid of my Box Buster tool you could adapt the same style box to fit any size contents, just by measuring them; Box Buster from The Crafty Owl will do all the hard work for you and tell you what size paper you need and where you should make your punch marks. So, without further ado, here's what you've all been waiting for - the link to today's video:

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I hope you found the tutorial useful - there's lots more still to come! Don't forget - you can access the Box Buster tool via the button on the right hand side of my blog home page or simply by clicking here.

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy box making!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Envelope Punch Board	Stamp-A-Ma-Jig	Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack	Real Red 1/8 Inch Taffeta Ribbon	Eggstra Spectacular
Label Love	Artisan Label Punch	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad	Real Red Stampin' Write Marker

Good evening blog readers! Well, what a lovely day - today it was so mild and warm it almost felt like summer! I used my washing line for the first time this year and had a lovely couple of hours out riding my bicycle with the rest of the James family this afternoon, then came home and finished carving my first set of Undefined stamps. More on that later in the week; today I have an entry for this week's Colour Q challenge, where this is the inspiration:

When I saw the colour scheme and clover leaf-type flowers, I immediately thought of St Patrick's Day; whilst not Irish myself (I'm not even wanting to admit my Welsh heritage following the Five Nations rugby results today!) this is the month when the Irish also celebrate their patron saint day, so having made daffodils for St David's Day last week, today it's the turn of the shamrock. I turned to My Digital Studio and created this Lucky Frameable, which could be used either on a card or framed as a piece of home décor:

I love these graphic frameables (here's one I did for my New year cards this year) - you can play around with them until you get the look you're after. The other bonus with using MDS for today's project is that I could use all of the suggested colours, including the retired Glorious Green.

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Mds Download - Digital Download

Lucky Framable Designer Template - Digital Download

Today's card is one I designed for this week's Mojo Monday sketch challenge, where I was attracted by the layout and the 'frame' element that is central to the sketch:

Here is my take on the sketch:

My card is a riot of graphic patterns and colour, using the Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper as the inspiration for my colour scheme. I added a layer of texture with a Bermuda Bay panel that I dry-embossed with my Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, then layering the various elements in contrasting papers and finishing with a banner of Crushed Curry that I stamped with Versamark and heat embossed in black embossing powder to give it a lovely sheen. Cutting my frame was easy with the aid of my square framelits - this is one of those times when they are invaluable. I popped my chevron punched pieces on dimensionals, using them to draw the eye to my button 'You' (this is a partial stamp of the 'You & Me' stamp in the Perfect Pennants set).

I'm not one for mix-and-match of patterns as a rule, but sometimes it's ok to step outside of your comfort zone. I hope you're all enjoying your weekend; the weather has been much warmer and brighter here in the UK today - we managed to get some time outside in the garden today, which made a nice change.

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Simply Celebrate	Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Stamp-A-Ma-Jig	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine
Magnetic Platform	Perfect Pennants	Card Stock A4 Bermuda Bay	Card Stock A4 Crushed Curry	Card Stock A4 Strawberry Slush
Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad	Basic Black A4 Card Stock	Circles Collection Framelits Dies	Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Squares Collection Framelits Dies
Versamark Pad	Black Stampin' Emboss Powder	Heat Tool - Uk Plug

Hello everyone! From the home of 'cool time-saving tools' (if you're reading this and you're an SU! demonstrator you should also check out my Product Table Builder application) today I have the third of this week's video tutorials showing you how to make a super cute Easter mini-egg treat box using your Envelope Punch Board and my new Box Buster tool. You can use your Envelope Punch Board to make boxes of all shapes and sizes - including some rather dinky small ones. Check out this box that I made to hold 5 foil-wrapped mini eggs ready for Easter:

It measures just 20mm x 20mm x 85mm and it was so easy to work out the paper dimensions and punch points with the help of the Box Buster tool. Here's the video that shows you how I did it, along with a 'top tip' when creating narrow boxes like this:

This size box would also make a great wedding favour - it's the perfect size for sugared almonds if you're looking for something traditional. I hope you found today's video useful; why not use the Box Buster tool to create your own small or narrow boxes? You can use either millimetres or inches (to 1/8 of an inch) and create the box size of your choice?

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Envelope Punch Board	Eggstra Spectacular	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Brights Designer Series Paper Stack	Brights Stampin' Write Markers
Melon Mambo 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon	Sticky Strip

Firstly, I would like to say thank you to everyone who left comments on my blog and Facebook pages in the last couple of days about my new Box Buster from The Crafty Owl tool - I'm so glad that you are all finding this tool useful. Please feel free to share with anyone and everyone you know who likes box making and has an Envelope Punch Board; it takes all the guesswork out of box making! I have another Box Buster video tutorial for you tomorrow, but meanwhile I want to share my card for this week's challenge over at The Paper Players, where Ann's theme challenge this week is to make a 'Thankful for Spring' thank you card. I decided to combine the challenge with the one over at the Fusion Card Challenge, where I used the colours in the photo and the unusual sketch layout as the inspiration for my card:

I've invested in a few new sets of flower stamps lately, so was a little spoilt for choice, but decided that the lovely Sale-A-Bration Petal Parade stamp set would work perfectly with the sketch layout. Lots of my customers have chosen this item as their free Sale-A-Bration gift so I'm keen to share ideas with them on how to use it. Here's my card:

I chose a base od Summer Starfruit, then added a Whisper White layer that I had stamped with the Petal Parade flowers. I then added a top layer in Pool Party with a circle cut using my Circle Framelits to reveal the flowers beneath. I added my simple 'thanks' sentiment to the white layer beneath the curved edge of the top layer and added the Petal Parade border stamp for definition. To finish, I added some of the Summer Starfruit Sale-A-Bration baker's twine, first punching some little notches out of the Pool Party layer with the point of my mosaic punch to ensure the twine sits flat and evenly across the front of my card.

I hope you like my card; check out the links above to see what the respective design teams have created for these challenges for some great inspiration and ideas. Back tomorrow with another Box Buster video tutorial; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Petal Parade Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack	Lots Of Thanks	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Summer Starfruit Classic Stampin' Pad
Summer Starfruit A4 Card Stock	Pistachio Pudding Classic Stampin' Pad	Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad	Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad	Pool Party A4 Card Stock
Mosaic Punch	Magnetic Platform	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Circles Collection Framelits Dies

Good morning blog readers and crafters! Back nice and early this morning with the second of my video tutorial posts showing you how to make any size box using your Envelope Punch Board and my new Box Buster tool. I've started early on my Easter treat boxes, so today's box shows you how to make this cute box:

The finished dimensions of today's box are 100mm x 75mm x 15mm. It was designed to fit a specific Easter treat - but you'll have to watch the video below to find out what it was! My new Box Buster from The Crafty Owl tool is just great for that - you can easily create a box to fit your chosen contents, without any hassle or wasted paper - you just measure the thing you want to put in the box, input the dimensions into the Box Buster tool and it does all the hard work for you: it will tell you exactly what size paper you need and where to make your first and second punch markings.

Today's project was worked out in millimetres, but the Box Buster tool will let you construct your box in either millimetres or inches - you choose! Here's the link to today's video tutorial:

Wasn't that SOOO easy?! Keep following this week as there are more box tutorials to come, showcasing a variety of box types with handy hints and tips for making the most of your Envelope Punch Board and my new Box Buster tool.

Back soon with another project; until then, happy stampin' (and box making!)

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Good evening lovely readers! I have finished editing my next video tutorial but have bumped it to tomorrow so that I can fit in a quick card that I made for this week's Paper Craft Crew challenge. here is this week's sketch layout:

Here is the card I made using this layout:

I went with a 4" square card for a change and a Crumb Cake base, then took a strip of Whisper White that I lightly sponged in Soft Sky across the top with Wild Wasabi across the bottom, then stamped the bunny minus the sentiment in Chocolate Chip and coloured him with Crumb Cake ink and a blender pen, before adding a candy dot for his tail. I matted this section on a strip of Chocolate Chip and then added a fringe of Wild Wasabi to the front of the card to make it look like the bunny was hiding in the grass. The new fringe scissors are great for creating grass in an instant and add a lovely texture. I then finished by wrapping some Early Espresso baker's twine around my card and tying in a bow. I stamped the sentiment onto an oval of Crumb Cake cardstock and finished with two co-ordinating banners, stamped using the Banner Blast stamp set and punched out with the matching punch. Both of these items are available free with a spend of £45 or more during Sale-A-Bration - contact me or visit my online store if you would like to place a £45 order and receive these gifts for free.

I've had a busy day today so am off to bed for a well-earned rest; back tomorrow with the second in my 'Any Size' box tutorial series. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

I'll be back later with another video tutorial showing you how to make another 'any size' box using your Stampin' Up! Envelope Punch Board and Box Buster from The Crafty Owl, but meanwhile I managed to grab a quick few minutes this morning to make a card for this week's Pals Paper Arts challenge. There is a great sketch from Nicole Watt this week that offers so many possibilities:

I've had my card in my head since I first saw the sketch, but only managed to get it translated into an actual card today. So here is my take on the sketch:

I went for a modern graphic card, using a sheet of the Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack for my colour scheme. I punched the flowers using my Petite Petals punch without stamping them with the co-ordinating stamp set first, as I wanted to limit the pattern to the paper. I set the flowers in a section that has three holes punched with the 1" circle punch and raised this up on dimensionals to add some depth and give the flowers more of a 3D effect. I finished each of the flowers with a candy dot in either Real Red or Whisper White. having finished the card, I realised that it was one of life's rarities  - no stamping! I really like this sketch layout and I'm sure will be using it again.

Back later with another video tutorial for you; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Good evening readers! Another busy day today with my first class of the month. The ladies in today's class made some great cards using their Happenings Simply Created Card Kits - pop by my Facebook page tomorrow if you would like to see what they created as I will be uploading some photos of their work.

Meanwhile, I promised you a special second blog post today that showed you how to make a box that can be used to hold four of the notelets created from part of the Happenings Simply Created Card Kit - so here it is! I've shot a few videos previously using the Envelope Punch Board, however this is the first box video. The reason I'm excited to share this particular video with you though is that I used a new tool of mine - Box Buster from The Crafty Owl - to work out the dimensions for my box and it was SO easy!!

For any of you that have made boxes using your Envelope Punch Board previously, you will know that the trickiest thing is working out where to make your first and second punches in order to create a box of the correct dimensions. It's easy for a square-based box, as the dimensions simply need to be divisible by 3, but what about when you want to create rectangular boxes of different heights, widths and depths? Following many templates and a considerable amount of test paper, I have developed a tool that means you can input your three chosen dimensions, in either millimetres or inches, and the Box Buster will calculate the size of the paper that you require and where you need to make both your first and second punches.

Watch the video to see just how easy it is to use (you will need to make a volume adjustment for sound during the middle section of the video; the section that shows the Box Buster in action uses different recording software to my usual video recordings and the sound volume settings are not only different but I've been unable to edit post-production - I do now know for next time though!):

You can find Box Buster from The Crafty Owl on my website here or via the permanent link on the right hand side of my blog page. Box Buster is a free tool and will be permanently available for anyone to use - why not visit the page now and add it to your 'favourites' so that you can access it quickly and easily the next time you need to make a box using your Stampin' Up! Envelope Punch Board? Whilst you're there, why not also check out the Product Table Builder from The Crafty Owl - a great tool if you are a Stampin' Up! demonstrator with an online store. And if you haven't already got an Envelope Punch Board, what are you waiting for? Click on the link at the bottom of today's post and purchase one from my online store today!

I'll be making more video tutorials this week showing you how easy it is to make boxes in a variety of different shapes and sizes, in both metric and imperial measurements, using Box Buster from The Crafty Owl and The Stampin' Up! Envelope Punch Board; do come back and check them out or subscribe to my YouTube channel.

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: