Simple Sending Smiles In-Color Card And Time To Join The New In Color Club

by Joanne James4. May 2022 18:00

Today I'm sharing the card that I sent out with the paper copies of the new Stampin' Up! annual catalogue to my loyal customers. I used the new 'Sending Smiles' bundle and my card also features each of the new in-colours - take a look:

 

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

Sending Smiles - I had lots of these cards to make, so purposely designed a fairly clean and simple, almost one layer (save the diecut sentiment) card. For this kind of mass production the Stamparatus is a must: I added flower stems, each set of petals and then the sentiment to separate platform plates, then without needing to move my card, stamped each colour in turn. Once all my card bases were stamped, I added my diecut sentiment; I added adhesive sheets to the reverse of my Tahitian Tide cardstock to speed up the gluing process and added some Tombo behind the vellum to attach it to the cardbase.

New In Colors - Let's take a look at those new 2022-24 In Colors: 

 

Whilst the In Color collections aren't designed to be used together, the colours in this collection compliment each other beautifully, don't you think? 

Want Them All? - Would you like to add these colours to your ink collection? Stampin' Up! have made that even easier for you this month. Between 3-31 May, when you join Stampin' Up! as a new demonstrator, you receive not only £130 of product for £99, but you will get an additional £62.50 worth of In-Color products FOR FREE! 

 

You will receive a full set of in color ink pads, a mixed pack of in color cardstock, in color designer series paper and a pack of in-color grid paper in your FREE product bundle. Your kit is sent postage-free and there are a range of ongoing benefits, from product discounts to training and most of all the opportunity to grow a business that works for you and have fun and build friendships as part of the wider Stampin' Up! community.

If this isn't for you, then you might like to consider joining my new In Color Club. 

2022-24 In Color Club Details

To help you spread the cost and gradually grow your new in-colour collection, I am offering an in-colour club (UK customers only). It begins this month and runs for the next 5 months, up to and including September. Each month, you will receive a collection of products for one of the colours, with each month featuring a different colour. You will be sent a reminder on the 1st of the month, and your in-color club invoice will need to be paid by the 15th of the month in order that items can be ordered in good time.

Each month, you will receive: 

  • 1/2 pack of A4 cardstock (12 sheets)
  • 1/2 roll of 1/8" (1cm) In Color Metallic Woven Ribbon
  • 1 ink pad
  • 1 ink refill
  • 1 Stampin' Write Marker
  • 30 In Color Matte Decorative Dots
  • Eight 6”X6” In Color DSP sheets
  • Four sheets 6" x 6" In Color Glimmer paper
  • In Color Baker's Twine
  • A hand stamped card featuring your in-colour of the month

Since all of the colours are also available as Stampin' Blends, there is the option to add on a Stampin' Up! Blends Marker Combo Pack each month for an additional £8.50.   

Details:

Basic Pack Cost: £31.65 plus postage and packaging (Royal Mail 2nd Class Signed For) every month May through September. If you are local, you can avoid the cost of shipping and arrange to collect. 

Payment can be made by Paypal or bank transfer (or cash/cheque for local customers).

If you would like to join my new colour club this month, then you can email me to sign up 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. 

I am also linking my card up over at The Alphabet Challenge where they are currently on 'B is for Blooms' as we go back through the alphabet once more.

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.

Stampin' Up! 2022-23 Annual Catalogue Live and In Color Join Promotion

by Joanne James3. May 2022 09:00

The wait is over - it's May 3rd and the new 2022-23 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue is here! You will find a permanent link to the new catalogue on the right hand side of my blog but for today you need look no further than the picture below which will take you straight to the new catalogue: 

 

The new catalogue is fantastic, with so many great new products to choose from. I've sent paper copies to everyone who has shopped with me in the last 6 months; a digital copy of the new catalogue can be accessed via the image above and it will be permanently linked via my blog on the right hand side if you don’t have a paper copy and wish to browse. If you have your paper copy and just want to go straight to the shop to place your order, click here - ordering systems have now fully transitioned from the old stock items to the new so you are good to go! Also, remember to add the current hostess code for May CUUXZD2C if your order is less than £150 and ensure your preferences are set to 'contactable' to receive a thank you in the post from me.

Due to ongoing supply issues, there are a number of items that are unavailable at catalogue launch - this includes the magnetic plates for both of the Stampin' Cut and Emboss machines (even though only one is listed below):

 

I will keep you up to date here on the blog as these items arrive.

There is also a promotion that goes live today to coincide with the launch of the new catalogue:

 

It’s always exciting to be able to invite people to join our community of crafters and creators. And right now it’s even more exciting because when you sign up between 3 and 31 May to become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, in addition to £130 worth of products for only £99 + free business supplies + free shipping + all the fun being a part of Stampin’ Up! will receive the following 2022–2024 In Color products in their Starter Kit for FREE:

 

Click on the links above for a closer look at each item.

I would love to chat with you about the benefits of joining my team and being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator; as always, you can always find the link to join my team on the right hand side of my blog page; alternatively it's right here if you fancy jumping right in!

That's a lot of information for one post; if I were you I would put the kettle on, put your feet up and get comfy and settle down with your new catalogue for a browse and start creating that all-important wish list!

Back later this morning with today's creative post; until then, happy shopping!

Waves of The Ocean Pocket Edge To Edge Shaker Card

by Joanne James2. May 2022 10:00

Happy Bank Holiday Monday to my UK readers! Today I'm sharing a card that uses the colour palette over at Hand Stamped Sentiments

I'm loving all of the blue colour palettes that are about at the moment, especially since I have been giving my Waves of The Ocean Suite a workout and the two pair perfectly! I thought the HSS colours were perfect for a little project that I've been wanting to have a go at for a while - an edge to edge pocket shaker card. My good blog friend and fellow Tic Tac Toe challenge team member Stef Perry over at Perry Papercrafts made this fabulous card a while ago and I have been wanting to have a go and thought that the Waves of Inspiration bundle would be just the thing to make my own version - take a look:

 

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

Waves Of The Ocean - Since this card is really all about the shaker, the stamping is fairly simple. I used all three ink colours to create my blended seascape background using my blending brushes and stamped a single wave in Versamark and heat embossed it in white; this forms the base of my shaker. 

A Pocket Shaker - creating the shaker itself is rally easy. You just need a flimsy acetate pocket - the wrapping that your new dies come in is perfect for this - then you attach it to the back of the panel on three sides to form a pocket, fill with the sequins on your choice (I used some retired ones from the Whale of a Time suite, minus the pink shells, along with some clear, white and silver ones) before taping the fourth side shut. You then mount this panel on your card front, and add any additional diecuts to the front of your card; I layered a Coastal Cabana foil and white cardstock pair of waves cut with the Waves Dies over my stamped image, and snipped a sentiment and added it to the opposing corner:

 

The sequins still move around the front of the card, although a little less freely than with a traditional shaker. On the upside there is less bulk though so this kind of card is great for posting. I just love this idea and am really happy with how this card turned out - thanks Stef for the inspiration, I knew I'd get around to making one eventually!

Going, Going, Gone - Today is your final reminder that lots of things are ending today - it is the last day that the following items will be available:

  • Last Chance Products, stamps and accessories from the current 2020-21 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue
  • All Together exclusive paper, stamps and dies (only the skin tone Blends are carrying over to the new annual catalogue)
  • Waves of The Ocean Suite exclusive papers, foils and embellishments (only the stamp set and dies are carrying over to the new annual catalogue)

When tomorrow comes, it will be all about the new annual catalogue so if any of the above are still on your list, you best click the links below and hop over to the online store today! 

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 will be back later with one (maybe two!) posts as I have a few makes 'in progress' on my desk along with news of a great new joining offer that will be starting tomorrow to coincide with the new annual catalogue launch - exciting stuff! Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

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

Playful Alphabet Brilliant Rainbow and Sequins CAS Shaker Cards CCS 467

by Joanne James26. April 2022 13:00

00It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. This week it's our final challenge for the month of April and Bhavya has asked that we create something with three distinct sentiment elements for her final sketch challenge:

 

Feel free to flip or rotate the sketch when making your card. For my card today I ended up creating not one, not two but three cards! I'm sharing my favourite one first - a clean and simple shaker card - take a look:

 

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

Farewell Playful Alphabet Dies - Time to say goodbye to a craftroom staple - the Playful Alphabet Dies! Yes, they are retiring with current annual catalogue next week and newsflash - there are NO alphabet die sets in the new annual catalogue, so not only will I be hanging on to my set, if you don't have them you have just one week to nab a set! I can't recommend them highly enough: they are so useful for personalising cards, but also to create bespoke messages or greetings. Use them flat or on dimensionals, or as I've done here to create a bespoke message that I then backed with window sheet to create a fun clean and simple shaker card! How cool is this?

 

Rainbows or Candles? - My initial shaker was inspired by the inspiration challenge of 'make a wish - rainbows' over at TGIF Challenges this week and I paired my simple message with a paper-pieced rainbow made using my Beautiful Rainbow Dies and some scraps of cardstock in Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana and Fresh Freesia to co-ordinate with the (retired) Ice Cream Shaker Sprinkles that I used inside my shaker. I used my rainbow offcuts to add a decorative border to the inside of my card, along with a sentiment from the retiring 'Sweet Ice Cream' stamp set:

 

I liked this card so much, I made another one, this time using the retiring white, gold and silver Sequins For Everything (currently half price) for my shaker and a trio of (retired) gold Candle Embellishments I found on my shelf:

 

Check out the sparkles - how fun!

 

Here are both shakers together - which one do you prefer?

 

I honestly can't decide - I love this design so much I think I'm going to make a whole bunch more!!

A CAS Thankyou Trio - Finally I have one extra 'bonus' card for you, that was the one I made before my shakers - a super simple repeating 'thanks' sentiment using a trio of dies cut with the Amazing Thanks Dies, with each one backed by the fresh colours of the current Color Dare challenge:

 

By using the colour for the base layer of the diecut and making the top layer white, it allows for a white base and preserves the clean and simple feel with all that 'white space'. This is a great way to use up scraps and whilst I love the fresh colour combo I used on today's card - Flirty Flamingo, Mango Melody, Daffodil Delight - this simple layout would work with whatever colours you have available.

Here are the visual summaries of the key products used on today's projects 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 actually made four cards for today's challenge; the first one was mediocre at best; I had an idea that just didn't look right when I made it - so much so, I'm not even going to share it with you!  So I left it and when I went back to desk 24 hours later, I started fresh and came up with my thankyou trio, quickly followed by my fun shaker cards - suddenly I was on a creative roll! Does that ever happen to you when your creating? How do you combat that feeling you get when you've made something but are just not 'feeling' it? Do leave me a comment below - I'd love to hear from you!

Enjoy your day; the James Juniors are both back to school today following the Easter break so I will be aiming to get more work done this week. This is a super-busy term, with everything from cricket fixtures to the school musical production, internal exams, speech days, university open days and lots more besides! I really do need to get organised!! On that note, I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, there's work to do - happy stampin'!

    

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

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

#SimpleStamping on Saturday with Waves of Inspiration

by Joanne James23. April 2022 18:58

Hi everyone! I have a quick post today following on from yesterday's post showcasing the wave in the 'Waves of Inspiration' stamp set. I mentioned in yesterday's post that this wave would make a great #SimpleStamping card so today I wanted to show you a pared-down, basic example of that using this week's Freshly Made Sketches layout courtesy of the lovely Kim:

 

And here's my #SimpleStamping card:

 

I used the same broad layout for yesterday's card (Kim's sketch is a favourite layout of mine that I often come back to) but for today's card I was completely faithful to it. I stamped my wave using my Stamparatus to build up my layers of ink colour and cropped it for fit the centre of my card. I matted it with a thin border in Night of Navy and added a birthday sentiment from the same set that I trimmed to fit:

 

A stamp, inks and paper; just 6 items - nothing else required! Clean and uncluttered - just my thing!

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 for our new challenge over at the Paper Players where I am the hostess. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

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

Foamy Waves of Inspiration AYSI 273

by Joanne James22. April 2022 12:00

Today I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where it's time for a shades of blue colour challenge chosen by the lovely LeAnne:

 

I have been busy preparing for my upcoming 'Waves of The Ocean' card class and this trio of blues is just perfect for waves, so I thought I'd share a variation of a card that I'll be making with my ladies next week, including a fun technique - take a look at my card:

 

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

Waves of Inspiration - This fabulous tidal wave is the real scene-stealer in the 'Waves of Inspiration' stamp set and can make a card all by itself (more on that later!) For this card, I used my Stamparatus to ink the whole wave in Balmy Blue, then I inked a second time, adding Pacific Point and Night of Navy to select areas of the stamp using a sponge dauber, to give me the variegated colour. The Stamparatus is most definitely your friend when using this stamp - it allows you to align the image and add layers of colour with ease. 

Foamy Waves - I decided I wanted to add some dimension and texture to my wave to give it a truly foamy feel; you can see it on the card above but I thought you would appreciate a closer look below:

 

In real life this texture looks so good! 

Want To Know More? - Creating the textured foam really is easier than it perhaps looks: all you need is some liquid glue, white embossing powder and a heat gun to make the magic happen. Here's a link to a short video I made some years ago where I used the same technique to create puffy clouds and snow that demonstrates it better than I can explain it:

In addition to the basic technique, to add a little extra sparkle to today's card I went back over some of the raised areas with my liquid glue and added some fine loose glitter, but you could forgo this step if glitter isn't your thing. 

In designing my classes I always try to use all of the stamps in a set, but also to introduce new ideas or ways of using stamps that my ladies perhaps haven't thought of or that I haven't seen used elsewhere in the creative blogosphere. I hope my ladies like this one!

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. 

Here's a summary of our challenge rules:

  • Create any card, scrapbooking page, 3D project or packaging project that fits the challenge.
  • Please include the challenge graphic and link back to the challenge in your blog post. Turn off word verification so we can leave you lots of lovely comments. Make sure you link the post not the whole blog to the Linky. Use #AYSIXXX when uploading to a public gallery.
  • If you’re unsure about ‘the rules’, check the details under the Challenge Guidelines tab on the As You See It Challenge homepage.
  • In a colour challenge, black or other neutral can be used in outlines and sentiments but no other colours should be included. Stampin’ Up colours are used for reference but colours that are a close match are welcome.
We look forward to seeing your creations in the AYSI gallery.

Enjoy your day; we are taking it easy following a very late night in London yesterday. It was so worth it though - the ALW production of 'Cinderella' was AMAZING!  I'll be back tomorrow with another project and I have several more 'Waves of Inspiration' cards to share too, so stay tuned. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

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

Floral Squares and Tulips TTT158

by Joanne James21. April 2022 17:00

It's Thursday and time for a new challenge over at TicTacToe! It's the turn of Team X to host and the lovely Felicita is our featured designer this week. This is the fun board that we are playing along with: 

    

In addition to the Try Stamping on Tuesday board for my layout and a little tulip inspiration, I went down the middle column of this week's Tic Tac Toe board with florals/patterned paper/any shape die cut and made a very purple birthday card featuring one of my retiring favourites, the Floral Squares Dies and some Flowering Fields designer series paper - take a look:

 

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

I diecut one of the floral squares in Evening Evergreen then added additional flowerheads to echo the colours of the tulips that feature on the three squares of Flowering Fields patterned paper; I also added a ribbon bow of retired Blackberry Bliss ribbon to tie the whole design together:

 

A little extra stamping and a few extra diecut pieces to decorate complete the inside of my card:

 

I do love the colour purple and I'm so happy I got the opportunity to use some of that pretty Flowering Fields tulip paper at last!

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. 

A tictactoe board offers so many creative possibilities - how does this week's board inspire you? Why not have a go? We would love to see you in the gallery and who knows - you might be selected for Designer's Choice and be eligible to be a guest designer on a future challenge. 

 

A last reminder: the 24 hour free shipping promotion ends at 11pm this evening so if you have an order to place and would like to take advantage of free postage, be sure to get it in before then.

Enjoy your day; I have had a special one with a James family outing to London today, the highlight of which is a trip to the theatre to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Cinderella' musical this evening - I will report back tomorrow!  Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

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

FREE SHIPPING 21 April for 24 Hours Only!

by Joanne James20. April 2022 21:00

 

An important second post today! For 24 hours only, starting at 11pm UK time this evening, Stampin' Up! are offering FREE shipping on orders of £60 or more.

The key information is as follows:

  • Free shipping applies after the qualifying order amount has been met.
  • The minimum qualifying amount to receive free shipping is £60 or more.
  • Free shipping only applies during the 24-hour period the promotion is live in each market; this means that the order must be opened and closed between 20th April 2022, at 11 p.m. and 21 April 2022, at 11:00 p.m (UK).

This is a great time to stock up on retiring in-colours or stamps, pick up a bundle that you've had your eye on and more! So start making those lists and head off to the online Stampin' Up! store or message me with your order.

Happy shopping!

A Clean and Simple Easter Chick

by Joanne James20. April 2022 09:00

Today I'm sharing another clean and simple card that was inspired by a few challenges:

      

I wouldn't normally gravitate towards the spring pastel palette over at Sunday Stamps, but the minute I saw it I couldn't help thinking it would be perfect for an Easter chick. So I paired it with the current challenge over at AAA Cards where they are looking for 'small and few' paired with Easter or spring for a fluffy chick (perfect for the CASology cue word too) and a few pastel Easter eggs hidden in the grass - take a look:

 

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

I used my blending brushes to create a blended corner panel of yellow 'sunrays' and a little green across the bottom for the base of my scene, then added some diecut eggs from the retired Chick Dies in two shades of pale pink behind some grass, cut using one of the Horizon dies. My Easter chick is courtesy of the Birthday Chick Dies - I had completely overlooked this little diecut chick and discovered it when I was using these dies on this card earlier this month and thought it would make the perfect tiny Easter chick:

 

An Easter sentiment from the retired set 'Welcome Easter' completes my card. I know Easter has already been and gone, but it's always good to have a few cards set aside for next year - when Easter rolls around I never seem to have enough!

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.

Measure of Love Clean and Simple CCS 466

by Joanne James19. April 2022 12:00

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. Bhavya is hosting for the month of April and it's time for our second colour challenge of the month: 

 

I thought these colours would be perfect for a bowl of cherries for a sweet friend - so I grabbed the retiring 'Measure of Love' stamp set and set to work - take a look:

 

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

 A simple bowl of cherries, backed with some Pattern Party black and white gingham and with an added Cherry Cobbler scalloped border detail to finish:

 

A super clean and simple 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. 

As a reminder, for our colour challenges, you must use all of the stated challenge colours. You may also use neutral colours; however, the challenge colours should be the most noticeable ones featured on your card. We use Stampin' Up! color names for reference, but you are welcome to use any other companies' products as long as you match the challenge colours as closely as possible.

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.

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If you're interested, call me for a chat to understand how I can help you realise your goals. Alternatively, if you have already decided to sign up and you just can't wait, please click here for the link to the online form where you can sign up and order your starter kit right away! 

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Click on the image to download your copy of the 2024-25 annual catalogue. For a full list of current SU! supplies, go to my online store. If you would like any help or advice, please drop me a line at joanne@thecraftyowl.co.uk or give me a call on 07773 421446 - I'd be happy to help.

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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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