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

I adore the bright colours of the Just Us Girls Challenge photo this week so couldn't resist combining with our board this week for a bright and sunny scene - take a look:

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

Tic Tac Toe Three Ways - I started off with Pink-Flowers-Clouds in the first column as my TTT solution, but by the time I finished realised I had also managed the first row Pink-Diecut-Grass and the diagonal Clouds-Twine-Grass. What can I say? #OverAchiever. Truth is, I was so panicked about not covering three squares, I ended up nearly covering the board!!

A Friendly Silhouette - I used the Friendly Silhouettes dies to create my grassy flower meadow, cutting the whole thing out in Granny Apple Green then again in pink, yellow and red so that I could paper-piece the flowers to the top of the stems as I didn't want a true silhouette on this occasion. I added a few pearls as flower centres. I completed my scene by punching a yellow 1/2" circle, cutting some clouds using a retired die and the two teeny tiny orange butterflies are cut using the Butterfly Beauty Dies - the perfect size for my scene.

A Darling Label Punch - I added a sentiment from the co-ordinating Friend Like You stamp set, but decided to punch it out using the punch in the Darling Label Punch Set box so that it would stand out instead of stamping it straight onto my layer. This kit is retiring so currently a bargain at £16.80 in the online store - link below if you would like to grab one. I also used the Friends Like You stamp set to decorate the inside of my card:

A nice uplifting sentiment for the times we find ourselves in. Sometimes a warm cup of tea, a walk in the sunshine with the ones we love or even a slice of cake delivers just the right amount of pleasure when there is so much going on around us that is not within our control.

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. 

Enjoy your day; I will be spending some time crafting and creating more delights to share with you in the coming week. I'll be back tomorrow with another project - a lovely card and gift combo, even if I say so myself - you won't want to miss it! Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Friend Like You Bundle	Friendly Silhouettes Dies	Friend Like You Photopolymer Stamp Set	Darling Label Punch Box	Brights A4 Cardstock	Blueberry Bushel A4 Cardstock
Blueberry Bushel Classic Stampin' Pad	Whisper White Solid Baker's Twine	Pearl Basic Jewels	Whisper White A4 Cardstock

Happy hump day everyone! Lots to do today so today's card is a quick one using this week's CAS(E) This Sketch:

I went super-simple on this one and more graphic than the loose lines of the sketch to make a simple notecard using the long pattern from the Flourish Dies paired with a simple sentiment from the co-ordinating Flourishing Phrases stamp set:

You know how much I will miss these dies and the Flourishing Phrases stamp set; they have had a good innings though, so I really can't complain too much. Great for simple cards like this though. I used colours from three different colour families but you could just use one colour family pack; this simple design is perfect for using up offcut scraps of card that you have lying around in any colour.

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: 

Flourish Dies

Flourishing Phrases Cling-Mount Stamp Set

Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad

Night Of Navy A4 Cardstock

Melon Mambo A4 Cardstock

Mint Macaron A4 Cardstock

Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock

Today I'm sharing another quick card that I made for this week's Just Add Ink challenge - you know I can't resist a good sketch:

I decided to make a fun card using the retiring 'Music From My Heart' stamp set - take a look:

Since three out of four members of the James household play piano, and we have a guitarist and singer too, it stands to reason that this set would be one of the first into my shopping basket when the Spring-Summer catalogue launched last December and I am sad that it isn't carrying over as we haven't had anything like it before. I just love this set and it is a keeper for me! 

This card is just some random stamping of the treble clef and the 'forget your trebles' sentiment onto a white cardbase, with a black top panel and then some layering of a stave, a wavy piano keyboard and a stitched square to highlight my piano. I like the heart detail on the treble clef, which allows for some quick pops of rainbow colour. I did the same with the notes on the stave, although this layer did blend into the background more than I would have liked; smaller black notes would have worked better in hindsight. No matter - this card will be perfect for a musical friend; in fact, I might run off a batch to send to my choir ladies to let them know I'm missing them!

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Music From The Heart Photopolymer Stamp Set	Stitched Shapes Dies	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Basic Black A4 Cardstock	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock	Basic Black Combo Pack Stampin' Blends
Real Red Combo Pack Stampin' Blends	Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack	Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack	Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack	Bermuda Bay Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack	Balmy Blue Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
Highland Heather Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

An extra post for you with news of a product giveback that has been announced today! Stampin’ Up! is committed to making a difference in our global communities and caring about people first. As part of the company's 'Making a Difference' programme they are offering a product giveback opportunity to support organisations that are helping COVID-19 frontline responders and communities vulnerable to the pandemic.

The Share Sunshine PDF Download is a digital stamp set that’s packed with both light-hearted and heartfelt sentiments and imagery relevant to the unique COVID-19 and social distancing situation we’re currently experiencing – including many ideas that came from Stampin' Up! demonstrators and customers! The download can be used in your cardmaking and papercrafting projects. Simply print the imagery on cardstock and cut it out using our Paper Trimmer, punches, or dies. Since we are physically distanced from each other, now is a perfect time to share sunshine with our friends and family by sending cards!

When you purchase the Share Sunshine PDF Download Stampin' Up! will donate 100% of the proceeds to COVID-19 efforts. Stampin’ Up! will donate all proceeds to the following global organizations to help vulnerable communities and frontline responders:

So why not download the PDF with no need to wait for shipping and start creating right away! Buying this set is a great way to #MakeADifference and #ShareSunshine - if you use it in your makes be sure to share your creations over on my Facebook page - I would love to see them!

Today I'm sharing my second card using the sketch over at Fusion, this time fully embracing the inspiration photo too:

You can see my previous post here that featured primarily the sketch; I loved that inspiration photo too, which the team chose to commemorate Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand, which was last week on 25th April. I wanted to create a sympathy card using reds and yellows and the silhouette idea  - this is what I came up with:

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

Poppy Moments - Just as with the previous card I made for this challenge, I used a diecut poppy, this time a couple of them, as the focal point for my card. I just love those Poppy Moments Dies - they make such fabulous bold statements on projects. I stuck with the remembrance theme and this time used a combination of sentiments for my sympathy card, with a simple 'always remember' on the front and then finished the inside like this:

A Background Cheat - I loved the idea of the sun behind the poppies in the inspiration photo and wanted to retain these colours and the silhouette idea on my card. I considered brayering and pigment sprinkles, but as you know I have something of a love-hate relationship with these (mostly the latter!) but then it dawned on me - a cheat! I could create an easy artsy background with the Sprinkles effect by using some of the See A Silhouette designer series paper - so much more me! And I love the finished effect - and no mess either, win-win! 

Poppy Silhouettes - I don't have a soldier image, but decided with my bold red accent poppies and my colourful background, I could use one of my Painted Poppies stamps to create some silhouetted poppies. I simply stamped them directly onto my DSP and coloured the poppy petals in with my dark Basic Black Stampin' Blends marker. They look a little grey in the photo, but do look a little darker in real life.  

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 really like the way this card came together and it seems quite fitting to share it today, given that here in the UK we are observing a  minute silence at 11am in remembrance of the keyworker staff who have lost their lives during the Corona Virus pandemic. So for the doctors, nurses, bus drivers and many more - this is for you. #minutesilence

As forecast, it's wet with a constant drizzle here today, so indoor jobs it is! I am finishing up some class prep today for next week's online 'Beautiful Friendship' class (full details here if you would like to join) getting on with some cleaning and ironing, trying to not disturb the Juniors as they plough diligently on with distance learning. Enjoy your day and I'll be back later with another card for you. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Peaceful Moments Bundle (English)	Painted Poppies Cling Stamp Set	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	See A Silhouette Designer Series Paper	Basic Black A4 Cardstock	Real Red A4 Cardstock
Poppy Parade A4 Cardstock	Basic Black Dark Stampin' Blends	Embossing Buddy	Versamark Pad	White Stampin' Emboss Powder

I have another quick post for you today with some extra cards that I managed to make in the last couple of days for a few challenges: the first is using a retired set that is perfect for the current challenge over at Retro Rubber where 'anything goes' this week, that uses the Freshly Made Sketches layout and uses red/blue/superheroes and appreciation sentiment from the Inspo List over at Festive Friday: 

I wanted a couple of quick cards to send to some nursing friends who are currently working really hard during the Corona virus pandemic in hospitals to let them know what an awesome job they are doing so inspired too by the lovely Jen Timko's take on her own FMS sketch this week I dug out my retired 'Everyday Hero' stamp set from 2017 which had just the sentiment I needed:

I went really clean and simple and stamped the cape onto a stitched oval and coloured it with my Blends before adding a star punched out of gold glimmer paper because, well, even a super hero needs some bling, right? And here's a picture showing both the outside of the card and how the sentiment resolves on the inside:

This card was actually quite a quick make so I am going to run a few more of these off - there are so many everyday heroes at the moment keeping the country both safe and moving, from doctors and nurses to supermarket staff and refuse collectors, that I thought it would be nice to have a pile on hand to give out whenever I came across one of mine.  

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference - the stamp set is retired but the other basic items are available:

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:

Stitched Shapes Dies

Whisper White A4 Cardstock

Pacific Point A4 Cardstock

Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

Real Red Combo Pack Stampin' Blends

Gold Glimmer Paper

Another Monday, another week! I have two cards for you today, both using Jen's fabulous layout at Freshly Made Sketches. This first one also uses the colour palette over at Color Throwdown:

I loved Jen's sketch and decided to create a split panel, with the navy panels raised on yellow, and a wreath made using the Sweetly Swirled stamp set that has been sat on my shelf uninked for months and is now about to retire (don't you just hate it when that happens?!):

I stamped my wreath and some greenery directly onto a stitched circle, then fussy cut some additional stamped flowers and leaves and simply layered them on top. I heat embossed my sentiment in white onto my navy panel, which I split and popped up on a Daffodil Delight card base. 

This card is just my kind of card and whilst this is the first time this stamp set has seen ink, it is one I will be keeping in my collection, not least because I love the swirly font of the sentiments 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; it is looking considerable more grey here today in the UK and the weather outlook for the next 10 days is rain, rain and more rain. It hasn't started here yet so since the children are getting on with their distance learning, I'm spending the day outside to get on with my outside jobs whilst I still can; my blog posts are all prepped for the week so I can leave the crafting until it starts to rain! I'll be back shortly with another card that I made using Jen's sketch for some very special people. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Sweetly Swirled Photopolymer Stamp Set	Night Of Navy A4 Cardstock	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad	Daffodil Delight A4 Cardstock	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad	Call Me Clover Stampin' Pad
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad	Whisper White A4 Cardstock	Stitched Shapes Dies	Embossing Buddy	Versamark Pad	White Stampin' Emboss Powder

I have another quick post for you today with an extra card that I made yesterday for a couple of challenges using the colours over at InspireCreate and the sketch over at Fusion:

I used the designer series paper from the Peaceful Poppies Suite that features all of the challenge colours and stamped a sentiment on the cross strip from the Peaceful Moments stamp set and used a diecut poppy as my accent:

I added a little decoration to the inside and the envelope to finish things off:

This is a great colour combo - I have a couple of other projects that use it too from one of last month's classes that it occurs to me I haven't shared with you - hopefully I will get to these later this 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 '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: 

Peaceful Moments Bundle (English)	Peaceful Poppies Designer Series Paper	Pool Party A4 Cardstock	Blackberry Bliss A4 Cardstock	Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad	Poppy Parade A4 Cardstock
Real Red A4 Cardstock	Old Olive A4 Cardstock	Mossy Meadow A4 Cardstock	Basic Black A4 Cardstock

Today 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 my favourite, a sketch challenge for you to work with:

I pondered Laurie's sketch this week and resisted the urge to go clean and simple and instead went for lots of layers and details. I'm on a mission to use up some of my designer series paper (well, I need to justify buying the new designs when the new catalogue arrives!) so decided I would make one the focus of my card - take a look:

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

Mosaic Mood - I received a free pack of Mosaic Mood paper at Onstage when the current catalogue was launched and I have to confess it wasn't a pattern that I was immediately drawn to. I didn't like the accompanying stamp set and left to my own devices I probably would not have purchased it at all. Truth is, this paper has surprised me - I have had lots of fun with it, cutting out the patterns and stripes and have made lots of projects with it. It was a good choice for my card today - I chose a background pattern and then a floral for the framed centre and decorated my frame with a fussy cut rose and leaves. Funny how things work out, right?

Heirloom Frames - I used one of the embossed Heirloom Frames to separate my two designs. The texture adds interest and detail to the layers on my card.

A Well Written Sentiment - The team over at TGIF Challenges are featuring diecut sentiments on their projects for the current challenge and that was just what I needed for my sentiment still to have impact and be seen. I chose to use the 'birthday' from the Well Written Framelits - they are perfect paired with the 'Well Said' stamp set, both of which are carrying over into the new catalogue I am pleased to say - these are keepers!

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:

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 spent the morning crafting yesterday so have lots to share with you this week! Yesterday turned into a glorious day of sunshine so we enjoyed time outside and an evening BBQ, with a welcome break from online lessons. Hopefully today will allow for more of the same! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Woven Heirlooms Bundle	Mosaic Mood Specialty Designer Series Paper	Well Written Dies	Well Said Cling Stamp Set	Soft Suede A4 Cardstock	Mint Macaron A4 Cardstock
Very Vanilla A4 Cardstock	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad	Very Vanilla 3/8" (1 Cm) Scalloped Lace Trim	Iridescent Sequin Assortment

Today I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where it's time for a speed challenge:

I also decided to inject a shot of bright colour with the CAS Colours and Sketches colour palette that I felt strangely drawn to this week for my speedily stamped card and pulled out an old favourite - take a look:

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

Top Speed Tip: Pick A Punch - So this is really my top mass-production tip, but the reason I would always use a punch rather than die-cutting machine when mass producing is really because it saves time. Punches make light work and the Daisy Punch is a case in point. I've used it today with the Daisy Lane stamp set and I can confirm that both of these items are carrying over to the new Stampin' Up! annual catalogue in June; the other stamp that co-ordinates with the Daisy Punch, Daisy Delight, is not - so if you want to add this to your collection, do it now before it's gone forever. 

Always Be Prepared - Of course, if you want to create a card in under 10 minutes, the main thing is to be prepared! I had a clear idea of what I was going to create and made sure I had all of the items I needed to hand before I started the process. It's also worth keeping the design simple; this doesn't necessarily mean it needs to be one layer, but it shouldn't be overly complicated. I managed to achieve a number of different elements on my card in a short space of time: dry embossed background, heat embossed sentiment, stamped and punched flowers (x2) and a stamped and fussy cut fern, along with gemstone decoration. I was doing so well on time I decided to add a ring of rhinestones around my central clear faceted gem (I will miss these - they make such lovely daisy centres) - I just so happened to have a long strip from a retired rhinestone pack, so didn't need to place them individually which would have taken longer - I just adhered the strip in one motion. 

A Time Triumph - I am always pushing the time limit on a speed challenge, so imagine my surprise when I managed to finish this one in record time:

Yes, 7 minutes and 18 seconds, and that included stamping and punching a third daisy too, as I tore a petal off my first one as I curved the petals in haste with my bone folder! I was so pleased with myself I thought I would share a picture of my stopwatch!! How did I use my remaining minutes? Well, I took an aerial shot of my desk so that you can see the absolute chaos that creating in 7 minutes and 18 seconds takes:

Then I brushed the craft-a-math to one side to stamp a quick daisy on the inside panel too:

I really love this card - I think the bright blue background makes this bright daisy pop.

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. 

Before you put your creative thinking caps on, why not check out the blogs of the other As You See It team members:

Amy Jasper

Heather Cooper

Jan Clothier

Jane Knudsen

LeAnne Pugliese

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Pineapple Punch Classic Stampin' Pad	Call Me Clover Stampin' Pad	Blueberry Bushel A4 Cardstock	Daisy Lane Cling Stamp Set	Daisy Punch	Subtle 3D Embossing Folder
Clear Faceted Gems	Rhinestone Basic Jewels	Whisper White A4 Cardstock	Embossing Buddy	White Stampin' Emboss Powder	Versamark Pad