Today's the day - my beautiful princess turns eight years old. Where did the last year, or eight even, disappear? I can't believe how quick she's growing and changing into a (very!) young lady, but a young lady none the less. She may be another year older, but she is still my water baby and as always, there is a strong aquatic theme to our celebrations: a swimming pool birthday cake, pool party next week and in keeping with this, an 'Oh, Whale' birthday card with a difference:

I liked a similar card using this stamp set that Mary Fish had done using a Paper Pals sketch layout a while ago (you can see her card here) and knew that this layout would enable me to make the most of the patterned papers in the Sunshine and Sprinkles set, but I wanted a special sentiment for my card and this proved to be a challenge! There is a photo in the Spring-Summer Seasonal catalogue that shows a play on the word 'celebrate', where the '-ate' is replaced with a number 8 and I really liked this and wanted to incorporate something similar in my card. So armed with a couple of stamp sets, my Typeset Alphabet and my trusty stamp-a-ma-jig, I came up with 'Let's Whale-A-Br8'. Here's a close up of the detail on the flags:

Pretty cute, even if I say so myself! We really did have a great day; here's hoping the next 12 months don't fly by quite so quickly.

I'll be back tomorrow with my husband's Father's Day card, but will have some other birthday-related cards and invitations to share early next week. Until tomorrow, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Oh Whale, Make a Wish

Cardstock: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Sunshine and Sprinkles Designer Series Paper

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Pacific Point

Tools: Oh Whale Clearlits, 1/16" Handheld Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Itty Bitty Punches (flower)

Finishing Touches: Basics Pearls

So today I can share the card I've made for my own Dad in readiness for Father's Day on Sunday. I've had the card made for over a week, but I couldn't be sure he wouldn't check out my blog as he does every once in a while and see it, so I've had to wait until I knew there was no chance of this happening. As he's at my house with my Mum visiting for the weekend, ready to celebrate Rebecca's birthday tomorrow, I know he won't be on the internet so there will be no chance he will see it before he receives it in person. Here is the finished card:

The layout is very similar to the Mother's Day card I made for my Mother-in-law which you can see here. For my Father's Day card, I used Island Indigo and the retiring Baja Breeze (these blues go so well together) and used some First Edition Designer Series Paper to highlight my typeset raised letters of the word 'Dad'. I also scored some border lines to each side of the panel for added definition. I offset this panel so that I could add some co-ordinating baker's twine and one of the large brushed nickel Basics Designer Buttons to finish off the card. I then created a Very Vanilla insert panel that I stamped with the 'Happy Father's Day' stamp from the Delightful Dozen stamp set.

I really like this card and have also made a version in red for a commission - a clean and classic style. I do have one last Father's Day card to share with you: the one I've made for my own husband from the James juniors, but for obvious reasons I won't be sharing this one until Sunday, although if we manage another two days without him seeing it or my youngest giving the game away it will be nothing short of a miracle!

Back tomorrow with a special birthday card to share. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Delightful Dozen (inside card)

Cardstock: Island Indigo, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, First Edition DSP

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Island Indigo

Tools: Typeset Alphabet Die, Simply Scored

Finishing Touches:  Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Basics Designer Buttons

Last night's card class was fun as always but too late for a blog post and today has been another busy day making birthday cards for the young lady of the house and some Father's Day cards, ahead of the big birthday weekend. I'll share these in the next few days, but meanwhile tonight I thought I'd share the last of the Golden Anniversary cards I made recently. This one is quite different to the previous two; instead of leading with a 50th Anniversary sentiment, I used one of the stamps from the retiring Word Play set as the focus:

I've never used this stamp before, as it never seemed right for anything I was designing. I have toyed with using it as a feature stamp on a scrapbook page (a project for another time though!) then as I was thinking about what it would be like to celebrate 50 years of marriage myself (believe me, that is a LONG way off!) and it struck me how appropriate this stamp would be for a milestone anniversary card - 50 years is a lot of memories!

I decided to use white and brushed gold cardstock again and leave the layout quite simple, with Oval and Label Framelits making light work of the layered front. You can see the lovely gold embossing in this photo too - it adds a real shine. I finished the front with a fussy organza double bow then stamped the inside with my congratulatory anniversary message:

So that's all my Golden Anniversary cards for the time being - which one do you prefer? The other big news of the day is that registration for this year's Stampin' Up! European Convention opened today. Better still, this year convention is being held in Manchester in the UK. I've signed up already; if you would like to enjoy two days of stampin' fun from 22nd-23rd November, contact me for a chat about this and the other benefits being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator can offer.

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

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Word Play, Memorable Moments

Cardstock: Whisper White, Brushed Gold

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Versamark

Tools: Ovals Framelits, Labels Framelits, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Finishing Touches:  Gold Embossing Powder, Whisper White 5/8" Organza Ribbon

Very late post from me today, but having had a day out on a geography field trip, one of the children's classmates round for tea and a Parents' Association fete planning meeting, this feels like the first time I've sat down since breakfast! I've the second of my Golden Wedding Anniversary cards to share today, this one using the Hearts A Flutter stamps and framelits:

For this card I used a white card base with a raised brushed gold and white layered panel, with two gold embossed hearts. I have used the Hearts A Flutter stamps and framelits in many ways and love the versatility of this set. I used more gold embossing for the sentiment across the bottom of the card. So, quite different to yesterday's card but this is also on it's way to another couple celebrating 50 years of marriage - some achievement, for sure.

Back tomorrow with the last of the golden anniversary cards; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Hearts A Flutter, Memorable Moments

Cardstock: Whisper White, Brushed Gold

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Versamark

Tools: Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Finishing Touches:  Gold Embossing Powder, Whisper White 5/8" Organza Ribbon

Better late than never today, but lots going on in the James household this week: the first of this week's monthly card classes this afternoon, followed by a school field trip tomorrow and an 8th birthday to prepare for at the end of the week. So on to today's card! I've had three Golden Wedding Anniversary cards to make this month and although none of the recipients are known to each other, I made three different cards for each. I'm sharing the first of these with you today. This is the most simple of the 3 finished designs:

I used brushed gold card for the base and die cut number 50, which I popped on dimensionals so that it would stand out a little; this card has a lovely matt shimmer to it, which is somewhat lost in the photograph. I then used gold embossing powder and heat embossed the 'Happy Anniversary' either side of this. I used the Delicate Designs embossing folder and large scallop edgelits die to create a layered edge, finished with a piece of white Organza ribbon. So nothing too fussy, but classic (and post-friendly).

Back tomorrow with another of my Golden Anniversary cards I think; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Memorable Moments

Cardstock: Whisper White, Brushed Gold

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Versamark

Tools: Large Scallop Edgelits Die, Delicate Designs Embossing Folder, Typeset Alphabet Die, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Finishing Touches:  Gold Embossing Powder, Whisper White 5/8" Organza Ribbon

The changeover in annual catalogues brings with it mixed feelings; excitement at the thought of lots of new stamp sets and accessories to play with, but it's also a time to say goodbye to some old ones. Today I'm sharing a 'Welcome to your new home' card that I made recently for my fellow crafty friend Issy recently when she moved house. The card uses the Hoop La La stamp set and the Comfort Café designer series papers:

This set appeals to me because it reminds me of my other hobby, cross stitch, and there are some lovely little images in this set, including a needle and embroidery hoop. I coloured the house image with markers in colours that coordinated with the Comfort Café paper, using my Stamp-a-ma-jig to get them perfectly aligned, then created a focal point by making a feature of the final house placing on a raised circle and adding a cute little heart from my trusty owl punch for good measure. This time I even remembered to decorate the envelope too - something I often intend to do, but often forget when I'm busy focusing on the card itself.

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

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Hoop La La

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit, Cajun Craze, Comfort Café DSP

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Midnight Muse, Pool Party, Cajun Craze, Summer Starfruit

Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig, 1 3/4" circle punch, Circles #2 Originals Die, Owl Punch

A change from the masculine theme today, to something much more feminine: a birthday card using my much-loved Dress Up framelits and a couple of soon to be retired products. So here is my card:

The design of the card was inspired by a card kit that has recently been on sale to Stampin' Up's American customers, but not available here in the UK. So have you worked out the retiring products yet? The mannequin is made from the First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper, which has been partially overstamped with the floral stamp from the Elements of Style set. This has then been coloured with Stampin' Right Markers in Perfect Plum and Elegant Eggplant. This has been layered with a paper doily beneath the dark background oval to add to the vintage feel - well, this is about as vintage as I get! The card has been finished with a birthday sentiment banner that has been attached with a lovely vintage brad, to add to the overall effect.

I liked the finished result and made another card using the same design but in a blue colourway using Marina Mist and Night of Navy, which you can see below:

If you would like to own Elements of Style or get your hands on some First Edition paper, then act now as they will only be available until the end of the month (or until stocks last).

Back tomorrow with another project using more retiring goodies; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Elements of Style, Happiest Birthday Wishes (retired)

Cardstock: Whisper White, Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Marina Mist, Night of Navy, First Edition Specialty DSP

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Basic Black, Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi

Tools: Dress Up Framelits, Oval Framelits, Blender Pen

Finishing Touches: Paper Doily, Antique Brads

Keeping with the Father's Day theme, another quick Dad card from me today. This time I went with a rosette for a Number One Dad:

I went with a Cherry Cobbler base to match my designer paper. The striped paper actually comes from the Christmas Be of Good Cheer paper stack (retiring this month), but it is neutral enough to work well on a masculine card. I made a rosette in double-quick time using my Simply Scored score board, then layered my 'Number One' stamp with a couple of scalloped circles to balance the size. I quite like this card, although if I made it again I would substitute the green scalloped circle with a vanilla one; I don't know whether it's psychological or not, but adding the green into the colour combo makes it look more 'Christmassy', which isn't quite the effect I was after!

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

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Ciao Baby!, For My Family

Cardstock: Cheery Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Be of Good Cheer DSP

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Cherry Cobbler

Tools: Simply Scored, 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch

Finishing Touches: Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine

I have been such a busy bee and my date with the ironing basket didn't leave me time for a blog post yesterday, but I'm back on track today and have so much to share I'm almost spoilt for choice! I've been spending much of today preparing for next week's classes: we are doing a 'One Sheet Wonder' using the Secret Garden stamp set and framelits. If you would like to attend this or any of my other classes, or get together with some friends and host a private class of your own, do get in touch via joanne@thecraftyowl.co.uk. 

But  for today, with Father's Day just around the corner I will be spending the next week or so sharing some masculine cards with you, interspersed with some lovely cards featuring products and accessories on the retiring lists and a few cards featuring this months 'Best of Flowers' anniversary set. Today's cards were inspired by a birthday card shown on page 14 of the Spring-Summer seasonal catalogue:

There were a number of things I liked about this card, in no particular order:

• the partial embossing using the hexagon embossing folder
• the use of patterned paper to build the design
• the simple sentiment

So taking these things as my starting point, I developed two similar but slightly different designs. The first one a Father's Day card:

I used the current in-colours and with a Summer Starfruit base, used a number of the patterned papers from the Print Poetry DSP for my patterned hexagons. Some of them I stuck flat, and some of them are adhered using dimensionals. This DSP has a nice variety of papers, with some lovely spots and stripes, which work well for masculine cards. I also spritzed the base card with Midnight Muse so that it didn't look too 'yellow'. I decided to partially emboss a diagonal section across the card and use the unembossed corner for the sentiment.

I then created a second version along the same lines, but this time adhered the Summer Starfruit embossed panel to a Midnight Muse card base and used a simple 'Dad' sentiment on a flag:

This card could be used for any masculine occasion by altering the sentiment inside the card to suit. The 'Dad' stamp I used here is part of the retiring 'For My Family' stamp set that is one of my 'go to' stamp sets for personalising a card - if this is a set you've had your eye on, it will only be available until the end of the month so get your order to me soon.

So what do you think of these cards? My husband said it reminded him of The Gold Run on the 80's quiz show 'Blockbusters' ("I'll have a 'P' please, Bob"!) which I think is rather cheeky of him - he won't be receiving either of these cards then!! Personally, I'm quite pleased with how they turned out - especially for someone who doesn't 'do' masculine cards for anyone other than the under 12s!

Back tomorrow with another card - until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Delightful Dozen, For My Family

Cardstock: Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla, Print Poetry DSP

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Midnight Muse

Tools: Textured Impressions Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Colour Spritzer Tool

As promised, today I have the second two designs for my post-friendly Help For Heroes cards that will shortly be winging their way to Afghanistan to our serving troops, for them to send their precious letters home. I decided to use my Summer Silhouettes stamp set to create cards 3 and 4 - I love this set and am getting better at 'random stamping' with it, I think! I decided to use a slightly more muted colour scheme for these cards, just to provide some variety and came up with two slightly different designs for each.

For the first card, I chose a brown/blue colour scheme:

For the final card, I was back with the pinks, but subtle compared to yesterday's bright pink card and I changed the orientation of the card to landscape as it suited this alternative design: 

This stamp set is great for creating a full card front without the need for a sentiment; in this case I deliberately left the cards without one, so that they can be used for pretty much any occasion - or even just to send a note on a nice card. These cards could easily be jazzed up with a few rhinestones or pearls and some ribbon, but I think they are equally fine without. So, to the service men and women who will be receiving these cards - stay safe and know that we are thinking of you and appreciate the sacrifices you make; I'm so glad I was able to help in this small way to show how much your efforts are appreciated.

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

Stampin' Up Supplies:

Stamps: Summer Silhouettes

Cardstock: Pool Party, Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple

Ink/Stampin' Write Markers: Pool Party, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Raspberry Ripple, Pink Pirouette, Gumball Green