Wednesday already - this week is flying by! Today I'm sharing a card for this week's challenge over at CAS(E) This Sketch:

This is one of those sketches with so many possibilities. I decided to use one of my favourite hostess stamp sets in the new catalogue for my fun card today - take a look:

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

Feathery Friends - One of the best things about getting a new catalogue is that it always contains a new set of exclusive hostess stamp sets - stamp sets that can only be purchased with Stampin' Rewards earned as a result of hosting a Stampin' Up! party (or placing a qualifying individual order of £150 or more). I love stamps that I can colour - with pencils, markers or inks and my trusty aquapainter - so this set with its quirky bird and flower images is perfect for me. Here I simply stamped two of the images in Archival Black ink onto watercolour paper and coloured it with my ink pads and an aquapainter. 

There's Never Been A Better Time To Host A Stampin' Up! Party - Hosting a party is a great way to earn free product and is a fun thing to do at any time. Great news: to coincide with the launch of the the new Stampin' Up! 2017-18 Annual Catalogue, there is a host promotion starting 1st June that means hostesses can earn an extra £30 Stampin' Rewards with qualifying party sales. There will be more details to follow nearer the time, however if you want to book your slot in my diary, feel free to get in touch now and be sure of those rewards - there's never been a better time to host a Stampin' Up! party! 

A Fresh Colour Combo - I chose to pair two colours from the Subtles family - Pool Party and Wild Wasabi - with a pop of bright Melon Mambo pink for today's card and added a single pink candy dot by way of embellishment to one of my flowers. Here is my colour combo if you would like to save it for future use:

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:

Feathery Friends Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad	Aqua Painters	Watercolor Paper	Melon Mambo A4 Cardstock
Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad	Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad	Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad	Brights Enamel Shapes

For all of you who have been patiently awaiting the arrivial of the new annual catalogue, I have some great news: from today you are able to get your hands on the colourful and exotic products from the Eastern Palace Suite a whole month before they’re released in the 2017-2018 annual catalogue! These products are being made available in two exclusive bundles, each of which includes a free product. Whilst these products will be available individually in the new Stampin' Up! 2017-18 Annual Catalogue, each of these exclusive bundles will be available for the month of May only:

 The following video from Stampin' Up! also shows just how easy these suites are to make beautiful cards (bear with it at the beginning as it is a little slow to start - keep watching to see the new products in action):

https://youtu.be/qF02FybBBO8

Whether you are a beginner or avid crafter, this really is a set with endless combinations and possibilities. Each bundle also contains ink pads in three of the new in-colours too. The other good news is that this bundle is also available as part of the Stampin' Up! starter kit and this is a great time to sign up as a demonstrator - as a demonstrator you will also get the opportunity to pre-order other items from the new Stampin' Up! 2017-18 Annual Catalogue too starting tomorrow! Do get in touch if you would like to chat with me about joining my team - I would love to welcome you to my Stampin' Up! family or alternatively click on the 'Join My Team' link in the sidebar. 

What's more, if you purchase either of the Eastern Palace Suite bundles from me this month, either in person or online using this month's hostess code  DXFJQZPN you will also receive a free full-colour PDF tutorial with complete instructions to make the following three cards:

Aren't they gorgeous? That's all from me today - you can see today's creative post here if you missed it - otherwise, I will be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy shopping!

Links to my online store:

Eastern Palace Starter Bundle

Eastern Palace Premier Bundle

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

What a great start to a Tuesday - I logged on this morning to find a surprise update to the Clearance Rack. There are now lots of new items available, some with as much as 60% off. As is always the case, popular items will sell out quickly, so don't spend too long deliberating - get in there quick! There are some great paper bargains, including many designer series papers, accessories, kits, framelits and even a few punches. My favourite Warmth and Cheer DSP stack is there along with those gorgeous Petals & Paisleys Designer Series Papers too - I could go on, but the best thing you can do is hop on over and take a look.

Click here to go the clearance rack in my online store and grab a bargain whilst stocks last! You might also want to check out this week's round of new weekly deals too and pop one or two of those in your basket - you can find them here. Don't forget to include the current hostess code Y2MKPTP6 make sure that 'allow your demonstrator to contact you' is ticked in order that you receive your special 'thank you' in the post from me. 

Race you to the shop - first one there gets the bargains! Happy shopping! 

My team and customers know what a fan I am of Stampin' Up!'s kits - they make for a perfect crafty evening in with friends, whether you are a seasoned crafter or have never crafted before and would like to try something new. Today I want to share with you one of the two popular card kits in the Stampin' Up! range that are retiring at the end of May with the end of the current annual catalogue. 

The Designer Tin of Cards Project Kit features on page 160 of the annual catalogue. Here's a picture of everything that's included:

This generous kit contains blanks and envelopes to create 16 cards and comes with a lovely card organiser storage tin and dividers to keep them in when you're done. Add a Designer Tin of Cards stamp set (this set contains some great stamps to decorate your envelopes and the inside of your cards too), a couple of ink pads and some adhesive and you are good to go! Or if you're an existing crafter with supplies, you could use any ink pads and sentiment stamp set to achieve great results. Here's a picture of the finished cards in the set:

First, fiesta-inspired birthday cards:

 Moroccan-inspired thank you cards:

Floral-inspired sending love and best wishes - great for a variety of occasions:

Lastly, some pretty congratulations cards:

Aren't they great? What's more, the kit has been reduced from £24.50 to just £14.70 - that's less than £1 per card and a fabulous tin to store then all in! 

If you would like to order the above kit, please click on the links below to order from my online store or if you live in or around Northampton, please email me or give me a call to get them added to my next order. What's more, if you would like a bargain impromptu get-together with friends where you each get to make one of these kits, then do get in touch and we can book a date in the diary.

That's all from me today; back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy shopping!

Links to my Stampin' Up! Store - Designer Tin of Cards Kit:

Designer Tin Of Cards Project Kit

Designer Tin Of Cards Photopolymer Stamp Set

So after a flurry of activity on the Stampin' Up! website last night as the retiring lists went live, things seem to have calmed down and are a little more stable this morning. Some items, particularly in-colour re-inkers and some of the retiring punches, are already unavailable. There are still though a number of great bargains to be had, including some of my favourites below - each of the items on the second row of the table is available at a whopping 50% off:

Succulent Framelits Dies	Peekaboo Peach Ombre Stampin' Pad	Stylish Stems Framelits Dies	Falling Petals Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	So Detailed Thinlits Dies
Designer Tin Of Cards Project Kit	Cheerful Tags Framelits Dies	Candle Border Punch	2016-2018 In Color Enamel Shapes	Sprinkles Punch

Crumb Cake Note Cards & Envelopes

Owl Builder Punch

Adhesive Remover

I have a card to share today but first things first - the list of products that will be retiring from this year's annual and Spring-Summer seasonal catalogues has been announced! You can read the full list by clicking here; there are some tremendous bargains to be had - I will have a review of the things I am going to miss most tomorrow, however if you want to stock up on any of the retiring in-colour items, especially re-inkers, I would urge you to do that sooner rather than later as they are always the first things to sell out. Click on the links below to take you directly to my online shop to purchase any of the in-colour items that are still in stock at time of posting:

Cucumber Crush A4 Cardstock	Tip Top Taupe A4 Cardstock	Mint Macaron A4 Cardstock	Delightful Dijon A4 Cardstock	2015-2017 In Color A4 Cardstock
Cucumber Crush Classic Stampin' Ink Refill	Delightful Dijon Classic Stampin' Ink Refill	Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Ink Refill	Tip Top Taupe Classic Stampin' Ink Refill

Today I'm sharing a card that uses these departing in-colours - take a look:

I used Stampin' Up!'s Whisper White notelets and a bold sentiment from the 'Thankful Thoughts' stamp set, cut out using my square Stitched Shape Framelits to create an elongated rectangular panel, along with a variety of combinations of the in-colour designer series paper stacks, along with some white ribbon for a finishing touch. I made a whole collection of them in each of the retiring colours and decorated the envelope flaps to co-ordinate too. Here's a glimpse of one in each colour:

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:

• Thankful Thoughts stamp set
• Whisper White Notelets and Envelopes

Today I'm sharing a couple of cards that I made for my last Sale-A-Bration class using Stampin' Up!s precut notelets and envelopes - take a look:

These cards would be great for a note to welcome a new baby boy or girl and would also make nice birth announcement cards. I made a video showing how I put these together - here it is if you would like to see just how quick and easy they are to make:

This stamp set contains lots of fun bits and pieces - I'm sure there are lots of similar combinations you could make for well, any occasion! 

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. 

The links to my online store for the supplies to make today's cards are included below, but bear in mind you only have until 10.50pm GMT tomorrow evening to snap up your own 'Any Occasion' stamp set before we say goodbye to Sale-A-Bration for another year.

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Any Occasion Photopolymer Stamp Set	Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes	Duet Banner Punch	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad
Pool Party A4 Cardstock	Pink Pirouette A4 Cardstock	Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim	Blushing Bride Sequin Trim	Stars Framelits Dies
Sweet & Sassy Framelits Dies

Today I'm sharing a card for this week's Less Is More challenge where the recipe is to use a frame:

I used a heart diecut to frame a panel of ribbon weaving as a feature on a wedding anniversary card - take a look:

I made today's card to showcase the metallic ribbon that is one of the Sale-A-Bration products available FREE with a £45 order before the end of the month - only a couple more days to go to get yours! This gorgeous smooth ribbon ties beautiful bows, but I wanted to show another way that ribbon can be used on your project. I made a video tutorial to explain how you too could recreate this card with the same metallic ribbon or something similar:

I hope you found that useful - I haven't made any video tutorials in a while, I'd forgotten how much fun they are! 

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:

3/8" Metallic Ribbon Combo Pack	Falling For You Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Falling In Love Embellishments	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock	Sweet & Sassy Framelits Dies
Silver Foil Sheets	Embossing Buddy	Versamark Pad	Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder

Today I have some exciting news! You all know that this year's Sale-A-Bration promotion will end on 31st March and in addition to hosting and joining benefits (you can read about those here) you also earn a free product for every £45 spend - you can see the existing items here and here.

Good news: from now until the 31st March, you will also be able to choose from the catalogue items below (you must use the special code as detailed as opposed to the usual item code to get one of these items free with a £45 spend):

To make things easier for you, I've created a table linking each of the products directly to the promotional item in my online store - just click on the links below:

2016-2018 In Color A4 Cardstock	Party Animal Designer Series Paper	Succulent Garden Designer Series Paper	Tasty Treats Specialty Designer Series Paper
Party Animal Designer Washi Tape	Petal Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Seaside Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Sparkle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

If you have your eye on any of the other Sale-A-Bration items, do bear in mind that they will only be available whilst stocks last - the glimmer paper is already sold out, so don't leave it to late to place your order. 

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