Happy Friday everyone! I'm not sure where the time goes - I can't believe it's the end of the working week already - well, for some anyway! Today I'm sharing a another card along with a matching gift box from one of last month's monthly technique classes using the At Home With You bundle - take a look:

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

At Home With You At Christmas - The At Home With You bundle is so versatile and works for lots of different seasons. Today's card features the gorgeous holly bough around the door, along with the holly wreath and the ornamental trees either side of the front door. I coloured them with my Stampin' Write markers and they were easily cut out with the framelits. I even decorated the inside and envelope for complete co-ordination.

More Ways To Add Texture - As with the last card I shared featuring this set (you can see that card here if you missed it), today's card has another three ways in which you can incorporate texture into your projects:

Adding Texture 1: Stamping To add to the Christmas feel, I wanted a red front door; by stamping my Real Red cardstock with the Hardwood stamp in Real Red, before stamping with the door outline in black, to add some tone-on-tone interest and texture for added kerb appeal.

Adding Texture 2: Dry Embossing On both my card and box I embossed the Smoky Slate base cardstock with my Brick Wall textured embossing folder to create some textured walls as a backdrop for my festive entrance.

Adding Texture 3: Embellish Sometimes on a card it helps to minimise bulk especially if you need it to be post-friendly, however this is rarely the case with packaging and the addition of bulky embellishments is less of an issue. On my gift box, in addition to a tag and ribbon, I added a boxwood wreath to my front door - I love the extra texture this adds.

A Matching Gift Box - It's always nice to be able to create fancy packaging for gifts and no more so than at this time of year. I made my simple gift box using the Gift Bag Punch Board (I just didn't score the side indents to make the bag shape) and created a little triangle roof for a lid (it's a simple hinged closure that is held in place with washi tape) that I stencilled some tile on using some Basic Grey ink and my brick pattern Patterned Party Decorative Mask and added a tag punched with the super-useful Everyday Label Punch:

This box measures approx. and is a reasonable size, big enough to accommodate most small gifts. Here's a picture of both items together:

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

At Home With You Photopolymer Bundle	Brick Wall Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Real Red A4 Cardstock	Hardwood Clear-Mount Stamp	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
Smoky Slate A4 Cardstock	Basic Gray A4 Cardstock	Many Marvelous Markers	Boxwood Wreaths Embellishments	Pattern Party Decorative Masks
Gift Bag Punch Board	Whisper White A4 Cardstock	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Quilted Christmas 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Ribbon	Hearts Come Home Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Everyday Label Punch

It's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! My dear friend Claire is the hostess this week and she has a fun and timely theme for us to work with:

I know some of my readers in other countries have already seen a return to school, but for us this week Wednesday is the day, so this week's challenge is a timely one. Is it me or do all Mums especially get just a little excited at the prospect of the start of a new academic year and a return to school after the long summer break? Don't get me wrong, I love having my two Juniors at home and am thankful for the break from the sometimes relentless activities that comprise the school routine, however all good things must come to an end and so it is that we are getting ready to begin a new school year, with the excitement, opportunities and challenges that this will undoubtedly bring.

I've double projects for you today as I needed some gift packaging for a teacher gift this week, so took the opportunity to create a fun gift box and co-ordinating card - take a look:

The gift box is rather large (approx. 18 inches long) so was something of a challenge to photograph but hopefully the detail below will enable you to see how I made it. Here's the low-down on today's projects:

A Window Turned Pencil Box - Having made an elongated box with my Window Box previously with the ladies in one of my technique classes earlier this year, I knew that I could use the same idea to create my pencil-shaped box. I cut one piece of the window box without cutting straight through and elongated this for the length of my sheet of A4 Crushed Curry cardstock. I then cut another piece that was the same length and the width of three sides, for the opposite 3 sides of my pencil, but without a bottom/lid. Instead I used some Maths to create a template for my pencil point in Crumb Cake, and adhered this inside the end of the tube to create my pencil point:

Here's a shot showing you how the main body of the pencil box opens to accommodate the main gift:

In addition to the main box, I also made a complete box using my Window Box Thinlits in Blushing Bride for my eraser and adhered this to the top of my pencil, which also opens separately - just big enough to add a little treat or two inside to accompany my main gift:

Finally I added a sleeve created from silver foil, to hold the pencil box closed securely - it just slides off to create access to the main box. A banner tag decorated with an apple - every teacher project has to have one, right? - finished my box. 

Pieces And Patterns For A Co-ordinating Card - I wanted a card to co-ordinate with my gift box, so decided to replicate the pencil design on a simple card using the pencil stamp from the Pieces and Patterns set. I masked a square and created my own repeating pattern - thank heavens for a stamp-a-ma-jig! - and then added a banner sentiment from the same set, again anchored with an apple (made using an old die I have in my stash):

Back To School Colours - My back-to-school pencil and apple colours fit perfectly with the colour palette and photo inspiration over at The Color Throwdown this week (I hope I'll be allowed my pink eraser and a few neutrals (the pencil really wouldn't be complete without it). I'm also linking my card up with the challenge over at Addicted to CAS where the code word is 'apples' and both of my projects fit the bill over at Paper Craft Crew where they have extended their 'back to school' challenge for another week:

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:

I look forward to seeing what you create with this week's theme. Enjoy the rest of your weekend as it will be over all too quickly; I'll be back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Window Box Thinlits Dies	Crushed Curry A4 Cardstock	Crumb Cake A4 Cardstock	Basic Black A4 Cardstock	Blushing Bride A4 Cardstock
Real Red A4 Cardstock	Silver Foil Sheets	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock	Pieces & Patterns Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad
Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad

Today I'm sharing a reminder of some of the kits that will be retiring from the current annual catalogue. You can read my previous posts about the Watercolour Wishes and Oh Happy Day all inclusive card kits here and here. The catalogue also includes some fun project kits too, including the Perfectly Wrapped product kit.

This kit contains everything you need to create 8 bags (4 each of 2 different designs) and 8 boxes (4 each of 2 different designs). Here's a picture of everything the kit contains:

This little lot makes a whole ton of cute boxes and bags that are perfect for gifting treats:

You can use it with the co-ordinating Perfectly Wrapped stamp set or find your own creative uses for it - you choose! 

In addition to the photo of one of the bags above, here's one of the boxes that I made up:

These would be great for party favours and are also proving popular with my daughter's almost teenage friends due to the trendy packaging and are a great size for jewellery, makeup or a good supply of chocolates!

The nice people at Stampin' Up! have also produced a video that show how this kit comes together:

If you want to get your hands on some stylish packaging that's easy to put together, click on the links at the bottom of today's post to go the online store. It's a wrap!

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:

Perfectly Wrapped Project Kit

Happy Saturday everyone! A mix of old and new today and not a card but some cute packaging which is perfect for this week's Global Design Project challenge:

Many of my readers know that the James family are keen vegetable growers and we have a small kitchen garden which keeps us supplied with fresh vegetables through the summer months. We also have a collection of fruit trees and last year for the first time I started making my own jam. one of my James Juniors is an absolute jam addict - given the choice, Ben would live on jam on toast  - so much so, that his big sister once declared we should have called him 'Jam-in-Ben' rather than 'Ben-jam-in', something that sticks to this day!

Anyway, I digress - making my own jam is a great way to make the most of our fruit and meet demand. I also love to give it away as a gift occasionally too and that's where today's project comes in; whilst Ben is all about the jam itself, if I'm gifting it I like to pretty up the packaging somewhat and there is a stamp set in the new catalogue that is perfect for me  - take a look:

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

Label Me Pretty - The new 'Label Me Pretty' stamp set is just perfect for me and anyone else how likes to preserve or cook and pretty-up their gifts for giving; the label I've used today works for any kind of produce. The set includes lots of other stamps too, that would work for other types of gift giving or on cards too - look out for more featuring those another day. Wondering how I got it so beautifully cut out too? That would be the co-ordinating Pretty Label Punch  - love this! I will have my jams labelled in no-time!! 

Fruit Stand - I paired my label with a band of strawberry-patterned Fruit Stand paper; a great pack with images of apples, pears lemons and peaches too. This is retiring 31 May though so if you want to add this to your jam jars you need to stock up soon!

Add A Spoon - Lastly, I wanted to add a little something to my jar and added a little wooden spoon, stamped with a strawberry from the 'Cool treats' stamp set. This is a simple way to add a 'wow' to a plain spoon - and in the words of Ben, a great way to enable someone to tuck in to their jam as soon as they receive it! I simply tied it to my jar using some of the retiring Cucumber Crush 5/8" mini-striped ribbon - here's a close up of my spoon detail: 

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. 

Given the recent addition of four chickens to the James Household, my next challenge is to use some of our eggs to create homemade lemon curd, one of Rebecca's favourite treats. Watch this space for some lemon-inspired packaging at some point later in the year! Oh and if Stampin' Up! could provide some raspberry-patterned paper it would also be much appreciated!!

I'll be back tomorrow with another project for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players. We have a busy day today - Rebecca has a big swimming meet and is racing all day (at the time of writing, she has already achieved two 100m personal bests for her breaststroke and individual medley, so that is great news) and Ben has a football-themed birthday party to attend followed by his swimming lesson. Enjoy your day and until tomorrow, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Label Me Pretty Clear-Mount Bundle

Whisper White A4 Cardstock

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

Fruit Stand Designer Series Paper

Cool Treats Photopolymer Stamp Set

As promised on Friday (Saturday was consumed with homework, swimming and the first cricket match of the season - goodness, doesn't that game go on FOREVER?!! - so I didn't get to post this the as planned), today I'm sharing with you another of the makes from one of last month's technique classes, featuring the Window Box Thinlits dies. In addition to using them to make the birthday card I shared on Friday and an Easter basket, we also made a box with the thinlits and one of the decorative pieces. Here is our finished box:

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

Window Box Thinlits - The Window Box Thinlits make the most adorable hexagonal box that is incredibly versatile. It can be used as packaging for a small gift or would be the perfect size for a wedding favour; it also makes a beautiful table decoration if you place a battery-operated tealight inside and looks lovely if a number of them are clustered together in this way. You can build it plain, decorate with designer series paper or use the selection of cutout dies to give extra pattern to the side and top panels. The box above has the side panels cut out and backed with vellum, along with a layered vellum backed top, so that the ribbon tie sits below the vellum panel and allows the sentiment banner to sit neatly across the top of the box.

So Much More Than A Box - The Window Box Thinlits are so much more than a standard box though. This versatile thinlit die set can also be used to make other items, such as sail boats and baskets, and can be used to create alternative boxes in different shapes and sizes too. The benefit of featuring this set in a class is that you can demonstrate and show the class participants how to do the slightly more unusual things in a hands-on way and be there to answer their questions and queries as you go. It's also a good opportunity to ensure everyone understands what each thinlit piece is for, any hints and tricks and sometimes how to avoid common pitfalls when using the item in question.

Love What We Do, Share What We Love - Stampin' Up!'s Statement of the Heart is "To love what we do and share what we love, as we help others enjoy creativity and worthwhile accomplishments ... in this we make a difference". There are many ways as a demonstrator that this can be achieved and I'm someone who loves to share my projects in a variety of ways. I love the 'art' of blogging (I find it relaxing and in many ways a kind of free therapy!) and sharing my projects with you, but in the online world not everyone who reads my blog or sees my projects on Pinterest or other social media channels leaves feedback or a comment to say what they think. That's one of the things I love about face-to-face classes - the feedback is immediate and it is instantly gratifying to share my love of Stampin' Up! with those that attend my classes and see them leave at the end of a session having learned lots, made some beautiful things and be brimming with ideas of how they can use their Stampin' Up! purchases to bring them continued and lasting crafting pleasure. There's nothing quite like it! 

I would love to see you at one of my classes and share my knowledge and experience of how to get the best from your Stampin' Up! products 'up close and personal'. You can see the current list here but do check back regularly for updates as new classes are added from time to time and will be updating shortly with a new set of classes featuring new items from the new 2017-18 Annual Stampin' Up! Catalogue. 

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'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Window Shopping Clear-Mount Bundle	Very Vanilla 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Satin Ribbon	Vellum A4 Cardstock	Pink Pirouette A4 Cardstock	Pink Pirouette Classic Stampin' Pad
Whisper White A4 Cardstock

Today I'm sharing a project that I made in an all-day class last November, but didn't share at the time on my blog. Do you remember the 3D home decor piece featuring the Paisleys and Posies stamp set and co-ordinating Paisleys Framelits that featured on page 46 of the Autumn-Winter seasonal catalogue? Here's a reminder:

I thought this was a lovely and unusual piece of wall art, so decided to use it as the basis for an all-day class where the ladies attending would each make their own version of this project and also stamp a stack of cards using the remaining papers in the Petals & Paisleys Specialty Designer Series Paper pack, which they each received in their kits.

Here's my finished framed piece - I originally framed it in white, but have since had it professionally framed in a beautiful copper-coloured wood frame similar to the one in the catalogue, which has much greater impact:

I like this piece so much it is now hanging on the wall in my dining room. The photo above really doesn't do it justice - just look at the lovely shine on the foil and embossed copper against the navy: 

So very pretty! The finished piece measures 12" x 12" unmounted and unframed. The Petals and Posies stamp set and co-ordinating Paisleys Framelits were carried over and are still available, however the paper was discontinued. Good news though: I decided to share this project today because those lovely Petals and Paisleys Specialty Designer Series Papers are now available again on the Clearance Rack for only £4.70 per pack - bargain!

I ALSO HAVE A SPECIAL OFFER FOR YOU - A FREE PDF TUTORIAL!

For everyone who purchases the Petals and Paisleys Specialty Designer Series Papers on the Clearance Rack along with the Petals and Posies stamp set and co-ordinating Paisleys Framelits from me through my online store before the end of this month (Sunday 30th April) using the current hostess code Y2MKPTP6, I will send you a copy of my PDF tutorial for the above home decor wall art project, containing full written and photo step-by-step instructions FOR FREE, so that you can recreate it too! Instructions will be emailed separately following purchase - please ensure you include your email address and check the box that allows you to be contacted by me as your demonstrator following your purchase to send them on to you.

The links below will take you to my online store to enable you to purchase all of the supplies you need. I'll be back tomorrow with another project and more Stampin' Up! news. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Petals & Paisleys Specialty Designer Series Paper	Paisleys & Posies Photopolymer Stamp Set	Paisley Framelits Dies	Whisper White 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Cardstock	Copper Foil Sheets
Copper Stampin' Emboss Powder	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad

Today I'm sharing a card using this week's colours over at Color Throwdown:

These colours are so very pretty and I was also inspired by the florals to create a 3D easel drawer card today using the retiring stamp set 'Circle of Spring' - take a look:

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

Circle Of Spring - I stamped the floral wreath from Circle of Spring and coloured it in with my Calypso Coral, Peekaboo Peach, So Saffron and Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write markers. I then cut it out with my Wondrous Wreath framelits and added a diecut bow too. Both the stamp set and framelits that I've used on my card today are retiring from the annual catalogue at the end of May and are available only whilst stocks last. The Circle of Spring stamp set is currently showing as low inventory, so if this is on your 'must have' list then do order as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

A Card And Gift In One - I recently made some easel drawer cards similar to this one for Mother's Day with a group of 21 Girl Guides - this stamp set also contains a 'happy Mother's Day' greeting - who had a lot of fun colouring their stamped images. They used a variety of pastel colours and they all looked so pretty when complete (it's a shame I was too busy to take a photograph of them all together - you'll have to take my word for it!) We made our cards on top so that they would open to enable a personal message to be written inside. The most exciting part though for the girls was the fact that this is a gift and card in one - the drawer pulls open to reveal 4 chocolates fitting perfectly inside:

The hardest thing for the girls was to not eat a chocolate or two whilst they were crafting! 

All You Need Is A Sheet of 12" x 12" - The easel drawer card is really easy to make using just one sheet of 12" x 12". It needs to be cut as follows:

• One piece of 6" x 6", scored at 1.5" on each side for the drawer itself
• One piece of 3" x 10", scored at 2", 3.5", 6.5" and 8" on the long side, to form the wrap for the drawer
• One piece of 3" x 6", scored at 3" and 4.5" on the long side, with the 3" section adhered to the top of the drawer wrap at the front and the 1.5" scored sections folded towards you like a mountain.
• One piece of 3" x 6", scored at 3" on the long side for the card - this is adhered to the front section of the 1.5" x 3" section above (see the photo).

I hope that all makes sense - a video tutorial for another time, I think! To finish, I decorated the drawer section with co-ordinating paper from the Subtles DSP stack. 

These little boxes would also make nice wedding favours - you can get two box cards out of 3 sheets of 12" x 12" cardstock so they would be pretty economical 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 tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Circle Of Spring Photopolymer Stamp Set

Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies

Subtles Stampin' Write Markers

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

Whisper White A4 Cardstock

We are into our school Easter holidays with a vengeance here in the James household and it is leaving little time for crafting! I just wanted to pop buy and share with you a cute little Easter bunny basket treat using the Basket Bunch stamp set and Basket Builder Framelit dies - retiring, but still available at a great discount at present:

These little 3D baskets are so easy to make with a 1 1/4" wide piece of cardstock, scored twice to create a U-shape, attached between each basket piece to hold the chocolate Lindt bunny then decorated with some stamped and cut out out flowers and a bow. I made these for each of my ladies that  attended a class with me this month as a thank you Easter treat and it's fair to say they were definitely well received!

You've still time to make these if you have the product or alternatively snap up a bargain now and be super-prepared for next year!

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'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Basket Bunch Photopolymer Stamp Set

Basket Builder Framelits Dies

Soft Suede A4 Cardstock

Subtles A4 Cardstock

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

It's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the lovely Laurie to host this week and she has a fun and timely theme challenge for us to work with:

I took the opportunity to take a break from cards this week and have a couple of quick and easy 3D items perfect for Easter treats for you to choose from. The first one is a basket made with the Window Box Thinlits to hold these cute chocolate carrots that I found when out shopping recently:

The Window Box Thinlits are so versatile and make the cutest Easter baskets! Of course I had to add a little tag with a bunny and fun sentiment and some Peek-a-boo Peach ribbon bows for decoration.

Sticking with the Easter bunny theme, I also made a punch art 'bow bunny' to decorate my little bucket of chocolate mini eggs:

I made my bunny using a combination of my Bow Builder, Festive Flower Builder and Owl Builder Punches, adding a few pearl eyes and some whiskers drawn in with my Stampin' Write marker. Not so sure about this one (I think perhaps his eyes are too far apart!)  Still, an easy way to decorate a treat container or Easter package.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's projects 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:

I look forward to seeing what you create with our fun theme this week. Enjoy the rest of your weekend as it will be over all too quickly; I'll be back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Window Box Thinlits Dies	Basket Bunch Photopolymer Stamp Set	Basket Builder Framelits Dies	Soft Suede A4 Cardstock	Pear Pizzazz A4 Cardstock
Peekaboo Peach 3/8" (1 Cm) Ruched Ribbon	Tags & Labels Framelits Dies	Whisper White A4 Cardstock	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Classic Label Punch
Many Marvelous Markers

Basket Bunch Photopolymer Stamp Set	Whisper White A4 Cardstock	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Bow Builder Punch	Festive Flower Builder Punch
Owl Builder Punch	Pink Pirouette A4 Cardstock	Pearl Basic Jewels