Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's my turn to host this week and I have a pretty colour challenge for us to work with:

When I chose these colours, I didn't have anything in particular in mind - I just love the combination of blue and yellow. That said, when it came down to it I had no idea how to use them - go figure! After playing around with a few ideas, I finally settled on some slightly unconventionally coloured florals using the Country Flowers bundle. I loved Amy's sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches this week so I used that for my layout and set to work. This is what I came up with:

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

Eyelet Embossing - I decided to use a Lemon Lolly card base and embossed the whole of the card front using the new Eyelet 3D embossing folder. I love the design of this folder and I love the texture and detail it adds to a project.

Countryside Inn - I used a small panel of Countryside Inn designer series paper in Night of Navy for one of the rectangle elements of the sketch. Did you realise that the Countryside Inn paper is still available? It's one of a few that carried over from last year's annual catalogue. The pattern is subtle and doesn't look out of place with the embossed background detail.

Country Flowers - The focal point for today's card is my bucket of flowers from the 'Country Flowers' stamp set. I used the three challenge colours for my unconventional floral bouquet, along with some additional diecut white leaves and flowers, and used Smoky Slate as my fourth colour for my metal bucket that they are standing in - check out the detail below:

I finished my card with a sentiment from the same set, wrapped with a little Boho Blue thread pulled from a ribbon to anchor it.

The Country Flowers bundle is one of those that is discounted by a further 10% until the end of June - that's in addition to the usual 10% bundle discount, so a whopping 20% off. There's never been a better time to add a bundle to your shopping basket!

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:

Enjoy your day; I'll be back later this week with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

COUNTRY FLOWERS BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (44.75)	EYELET 3D EMBOSSING FOLDER (9.50)	COUNTRYSIDE INN 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.75)	LEMON LOLLY A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	LEMON LOLLY STAMPIN’ BLENDS COMBO PACK (10.25)	NIGHT OF NAVY STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (10.25)
BOHO BLUE STAMPIN’ BLENDS COMBO PACK (10.25)	SMOKY SLATE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (10.25)	BASIC WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (13.00)

Everyone loves a good deal, which is why Stampin' Up! is offering an additional 10% off all stamp and die bundles! Between 5 and 30 June, take advantage of the sale and add some new bundles to your collection. Plus, save 10% on the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine and the Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine. These machines make the perfect crafting partner for stamp and die bundles. With this offer, you and can save time and money!

In addition, today sees two new kits added to the online collection:

First up - the Expressions of Kindness card kit: 

Share heartfelt cards with the Expressions of Kindness Kit. Featuring nostalgic-looking floral designs in beautiful colour tones, this kit is perfect for all-occasion cards for friends and loved ones. Pair the desired sentiment and images from the kit to quickly create timeless cards. Wish happy birthday, send a friendly note, or more, and let the people in your life know you care! Also available in French and German.

 The second kit is The Scenic Route Travel Journal Kit:

EXPRESSIONS OF KINDNESS KIT (ENGLISH) (22.00)

THE SCENIC ROUTE TRAVEL JOURNAL KIT (21.00)

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches.This week's challenge is a sketch challenge and Patricia has asked that we add a panel with 3 banners behind. Feel free to flip or rotate the sketch when making your card.

For my card today I decided to do another showcase of one of the beautiful designs in the Thoughtful Journey paper pack on that panel - take a look:

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

I used one of the Nested Essentials Dies to cut out my scenic panel and decided to highlight three of the colours in the sky and use those for my horizontal strips. I heat-embossed my sentiment onto each in white and used words from the 'Unbounded Love' stamp set that worked well together. How gorgeous are these papers? 

A trio of co-ordinating pearls complete my card front, with a corresponding sentiment added to the inside of my card:

What do you think? This is a great design that is quick to make and really does showcase the pretty papers.

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! colour 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.

Finally, a quick reminder that all orders placed today over £60 are eligible for free shipping - so a great time to stock up on your new annual catalogue favourites.

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

UNBOUNDED LOVE PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (24.00)	THOUGHTFUL JOURNEY 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.75)	ADHESIVE-BACKED PEARL TRIO (7.00)	NESTED ESSENTIALS DIES (32.00)	CALYPSO CORAL A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	PETUNIA POP A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)
BOHO BLUE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	BASICS WOW! EMBOSSING POWDER (20.00)	VERSAMARK PAD (9.00)

STOP PRESS for an important announcement: 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 20 May 2024, at 11p.m. and 21 May 2024, at 10:59 p.m (UK).

This is a great time to stock up on new annual catalogue items that are on your wishlist, to pick up one of our all-inclusive papercrafting kits or to treat yourself to a bargain from the clearance rack. So start making those lists and head off to my online Stampin' Up! store to place your order. Remember to add the current hostess code 3NR3FB9W to receive an extra thank you in the post from me.

Happy shopping!

The wait is over - it's May 1st and the new 2024-25 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 VDKNV7BH 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.

There is also a great joining 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 1 and 31 May to become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, in addition to £130 worth of products of your choice for only £99 + free business supplies + free shipping + all the fun being a part of Stampin’ Up!, you will also receive the following 2024–2025 In Color products in your Starter Kit for FREE:

That's an additional £78.25 of FREE product - such a great deal and the perfect way to add these fresh new colours to your supplies - and all for just £99. 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 with news of two new kits that have also launched today; until then, happy shopping!

It's the last day in April so it's public service announcements galore today!

Counting down now - only 1 day to go until the new 2024-25 Annual Stampin' Up! catalogue launches!

I have sent out copies to everyone on my catalogue mailing list who has purchased from me in the last 6 months - if you're not on this list but would like to receive one, then do give me a call on 07773 421446 or drop me an email and I will pop one in the post to you today.

This also means the following: 

Today is the last day that you can order from the 2023-24 Stampin' Up! catalogue - this includes any of the 'Bundle and Save 10%' bundles. Even though some of the products they contain are being carried over to the new annual catalogue, they will not be available as a discounted bundle. 

Today is also the last day that you can order from the 2024 January-April Mini Stampin' Up! Catalogue - a number of the products are being carried over to the new annual catalogue, however we will be saying goodbye to many items and again they will not be available as a discounted bundle. There are still a number of stamp sets and accessories available at a discount on the Retiring List here - today is your last chance to grab a bargain!  

There are still lots of bargains to be had following last week's Clearance Rack Refresh, so if you are placing an order online you should definitely check this out too.

If you are placing an order online, remember to use this month's online hostess code VDKNV7BH to receive a little thank you from me. 

That's all from me - back tomorrow with the new annual catalogue and news of a fabulous joining offer for the month of May, so do be sure to come back then to hear all about it! Until then, happy last-chance shopping!

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's my turn to host this week and I have my favourite, a sketch challenge for us to work with:

There are so many was I could have used my sketch; I wanted to have a play with the Latte Love online exclusives suite, so thought I would make a fun coffee-themed card - take a look:

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

I used three different patterns of the A Little Latte designer series paper on my card: one for the swirly background, another in a contrasting plaid pattern for the four squares that I diecut using the Stylish Shapes Dies and a third for the coffee cup itself, which I diecut from the designer paper itself:

A heat-embossed sentiment and a trio of swirl dots were all I needed to complete my card. This card actually came together really quickly once I'd chosen my patterns; I really love those creamy coffee swirls that I used for the background. It's really worth checking out the range of exclusives in the online store; These online exclusive products are available outside of catalogue publications, so will be available whilst stocks last for the foreseeable future.

I'm also playing along with my old teamies over at TicTacToe Challenge (waves enthusiastically!) this week: I went across the bottom row with gem or embellishment/patterned paper/diecuts.

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:

Enjoy your day; I can't wait to see how you interpret my sketch this week. I'll be back later this week with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

LATTE LOVE BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (44.00)

A LITTLE LATTE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.75)

ADHESIVE-BACKED SWIRL DOTS (7.50)

STYLISH SHAPES DIES (28.00)

PECAN PIE A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)

VERSAMARK PAD (9.00)

Today I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where it's time for an interesting 'fill in the blank' challenge from the lovely Heather H:

The colour I use least in my crafting - intriguing! I used the sketch over at Global Design Project #GDP442 for my layout this week and I made a card that features only two colours; can you guess which one I don't use very often?

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

Yes - it's Wild Wheat! I must confess I am not a fan of this one of last year's in-colours and actually don't use it very often at all so for today's card I decided that I would try something different and pair it with one of my most-used colours and all-time favourite, Night of Navy, to see if the colour combo would make Wild Wheat more appealing.

I used a Night of Navy card base and covered it with an entire panel of Wild Wheat - brave! I decided to add a diecut panel using the leaf die from the Gorgeous Garden Dies to the centre of my card. I've used these dies many times before and the eagle-eyed amongst you will realise that the whole die covers an entire card front, so you may be wondering how I managed to halve it to create my panel. It actually wasn't that tricky: I cut my Night of Navy Panel to size then aligned my die at the outside edge and partially diecut it towards the other end. I then removed the die and using a craft knife, I used a metal ruler and carefully cut away the edge of the loose pieces to create a narrow border on the other side of the panel. Yet another way to use these fabulous dies!

I added some Night of Navy twine and a simple gold heat-embossed sentiment from the 'Timeless Arrangements' stamp set, accented with a brass metallic dot to finish:

A piece of co-ordinating Wild Wheat in-colour DSP to decorate the flap of the envelope completes my card. Whilst I'm still not a fan of Wild Wheat, I must confess I do rather like this colour combo!

This is a great opportunity to remind you that the Gorgeous Garden bundle is just one of those featured in the monthly tutorials I create with my AYSI teamie, good friend and fellow demonstrator Jan Clothier. This tutorial contains lots more ideas and ways to use the Gorgeous Garden Dies and is yours for FREE when you purchase the Gorgeous Garden Dies from either Jan or myself. These dies are only available until the end of the month before they retire; they are currently almost half price at £24 for the pair - bargain! 

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.

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

GORGEOUS GARDEN DIES (24.00)

NIGHT OF NAVY A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)

WILD WHEAT A4 CARDSTOCK (9.50)

TIMELESS ARRANGEMENTS PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (24.00)

VERSAMARK PAD (9.00)

METALLICS EMBOSSING POWDERS (17.00)

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. This week's challenge is a sketch challenge and Rachel has asked that we use a trio of balanced shapes. Feel free to flip or rotate the sketch when making your card and remember the shapes you choose don't have to be squares. 

I paired Rachel's fun sketch with the bright colour combo over at Just Us Girls this week that was perfect for what I had in mind - take a look:

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

Those retiring lists I mentioned in yesterday's post are now well and truly live and so for today's card I just had to highlight one of my favourite retiring sets: Hey Chuck. As a previous chicken owner, I knew I'd never be able to resist these comical feathered friends! They are great for colouring, especially if you're a beginner as there is only a small area to focus on at a time. In addition to the chickens themselves, the dies contain a bunch of 'extras' in addition to those that cut out the chickens; on today's card I used the semi-circle sunshine to make a stencil so that I could stencil in my morning sun (this is something I've done previously here too) and the weather vane - so great for creating fun scenes, the possibilities are endless! The dies are also discounted as part of the retiring sale - so if you buy the stamps and the dies, you get a better deal if you purchase them separately than if you purchase them as a bundle. Here's my colourful poultry in close up:

A trio of sparkly Gorgeous Grape enamel dots complete my fun card (I've provided a link to one that is similar below). 

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. 

This will be the perfect card to send to my daughter on her return to university - students in general are not known for being early risers so I suspect this will make her smile!

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

HEY CHUCK DIES (21.00)	HEY CHUCK CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (24.00)	HEY CHUCK BUNDLE (48.50)	BLACKBERRY BLISS STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (9.50)	HIGHLAND HEATHER STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (9.50)	DAFFODIL DELIGHT STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (9.50)
PUMPKIN PIE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (9.50)	DAFFODIL DELIGHT CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	GLOSSY DOTS ASSORTMENT (7.50)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (8.50)	TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (6.25)

Click here to go right to the the online store to shop your favourite retiring items now - please note the discounted prices are only available from tomorrow, Tuesday April 9th.

Click here to see the retired items list for the 2023-2024 Annual Catalogue in PDF format, including the discounts that will apply beginning on April 9:

You can click here to download the retiring list for the 2023-2024 Annual Catalogue in Excel format so that you can modify and edit it.

Click here to see the retired items list for the January-April 2024 Mini Catalogue in PDF format, including the discounts that will apply beginning on April 9:

You can click here to download the retiring list for the January-April 2024 Mini Catalogue in Excel format so that you can modify and edit it.

Please remember this is also your last opportunity to stock up on 2022-24 in colour products: we will be saying goodbye for good to Sweet Sorbet, Parakeet Party, Tahitian Tide, Starry Sky and Orchid Oasis at the end of the month.

Finally, whilst we all dislike price rises, sometimes they are necessary in order to remain competitive. As such, I want to give you a heads up that the following items will all increase in price when the next Annual Catalogue launches in May, so if you would like to get a jump on those price rises, here's your opportunity to get your order in beforehand:

I'll be placing an order first thing tomorrow, so if you'd like to take advantage of the bargains on the retiring list, then do get in touch with your order by 8pm this evening.

Some products have discounts of up to 60% so there are some great bargains to be had; since these lists are whilst supplies last, there are products that have already gone in some markets prior to discounts beginning, so don't delay in placing your order if there's something you 'must have'. I'll be back to share some of my favourites later in the week but meanwhile, time to review those wishlists!

Let me know if you have any questions. Back tomorrow with another post; until then, happy shopping!