Today I have a card that I made with this week's Freshly Made Sketches challenge in mind and uses the colours over at Fab Friday and just so happens to suit the theme over at TGIF Challenges too:

As soon as I saw the sketch I knew that I wanted to create something with my Lighthearted Leaves set and Leaflets Framelits and I wanted to create something bold with bright colours and contrast, so the colours were a perfect choice. Here's my card:

I used a base of extra thick Whisper White and a mat of Basic Black, then stamped my leaf in Memento Black onto a piece of Tangelo Twist, then coloured certain areas of the leaf in white with my chalk marker. I cut the co-ordinating leaf shape out of my Bermuda Bay layer then popped this on top using dimensionals. I used the Greetings Thinlits and my Big Shot for the 'thanks', cutting it out twice, once in white and once in black than layering them, one slightly offset against the other, beneath my leaf, with a candy dot for a pop of orange (it's Pumpkin Pie, but you can't tell it's not an exact match so far away from the base layer - I won;t tell if you won't ;-)!)

Rather simple, yet the layers and graphic nature of this card, combined with the bold, bright colours and one of my favourite stamp sets make this one of those cards that I would love to receive.

That's all from me today; I'm off to make some Halloween crafts at my friends coffee morning to raise funds for the Outspan School in Uganda. Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Lighthearted Leaves Photopolymer Stamp Set	Leaflets Framelits Dies	Greetings Thinlits Dies	Big Shot	Magnetic Platform
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock	Basic Black A4 Cardstock	Bermuda Bay A4 Cardstock	Tangelo Twist A4 Cardstock
Brights Candy Dots	White Stampin' Chalk Marker

It's Sunday and time for a new challenge over at The Paper Players! This week it is the turn of my wonderful friend LeAnne to host and she has my favourite type of challenge, a sketch, for us to work with this week:

This is a sketch with lots of possibilities; I eventually settled on a silver and white snowflake-themed card - here it is:

I used a piece of extra-thick Whisper White cardstock for my base and for the three vertical panels, used three pieces of the silver snowflake Holidays Fancy Foil vellum, adhered to three pieces of Whisper White on to three mats of silver foil cardstock. I stamped my sentiment from the 'Flurry of Wishes' stamp set in Versamark onto Whisper White and heat embossed it in silver and matted this onto a piece of silver foil too, having flagged both ends with my Triple Banner Punch. For the circle element of the sketch, I took a bit of a liberty and stamped the medium sized snowflake from 'Flurry of Wishes' in Versamark and heat embossed in silver and punched it out using the Flower Medallion Punch. I adhered this to my card using dimensionals, with some loops of silver cord trim underneath it. For the final element of the sketch, I added one of the Winter Wonderland Embellishments to the point of my snowflake. 

I adore this card - it is so wonderfully sparkly and shimmery in real life, although it is so white it was quite difficult to photograph and the picture definitely doesn't do it justice! The Holidays Fancy Foil Vellum is just gorgeous and a little definitely goes a long way.

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

I look forward to seeing how you interpret our sketch this week. The children are back this morning so I will be collecting Ben from basketball and then we are having Granny over for lunch. In the afternoon we are going to start looking at Rebecca's music assignment - half term homework, boo hoo!

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Flurry Of Wishes Photopolymer Stamp Set	Holidays Fancy Foil Designer Vellum	Winter Wonderland Embellishments	Flower Medallion Punch	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock
Embossing Buddy	Versamark Pad	Heat Tool (Uk)	Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder	Silver Foil Sheets
Silver Cording Trim	Banner Triple Punch

Yay, it's the weekend! I've had a child-free day today as the James juniors are at Grannies for a couple of days, which has meant a whole day of crafting and lots of things made and ready to share with you for the forthcoming week.

Today I have a fun Halloween card with some paper-pieced pumpkins, inspired by the inspiration over at The Challenge and Curtain Call, where the theme is patterned pumpkins, and The Friday Mashup where they are looking for projects with either a Halloween theme or featuring ribbon, or both (which I managed this week!):

I went with a sketch layout that you've seen me use previously on my reindeer Christmas card here as it was perfect for my paper-pieced pumpkins - take a look:

My card is something of a showcase of the Happy Haunting Designer Series Paper today: I created my base layer using the plaid pattern on a mat of Basic Black and a card base of Tangelo Twist, then for my centre square created a trio of paper-pieced pumpkins, each one featuring a different paper pattern, using my retired small oval punch and a stalk from a punched acorn top. My sentiment is from the 'A Little Something' set, stamped in Memento Black ink and the trio of little pumpkins coloured in with my tangelo Twist Stampin' Write marker. I adhered my central square to my card base using dimensionals, having first added a piece of spider's web doily and retired Tangelo Twist satin ribbon to my corner treatment.

The papers in the Happy Haunting pack are great and not just useful for Halloween - three of the four paper patterns I've used on today's card would work equally well on non-Halloween themed projects.

That's all from me today; back tomorrow with a stunning Christmas creation (even if I say so myself!) for our new challenge over at The Paper Players. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

A Little Something Wood-Mount Stamp Set	Happy Haunting Designer Series Paper	Acorn Builder Punch	Spider Web Doilies	Basic Black A4 Cardstock
Tangelo Twist A4 Cardstock	Very Vanilla A4 Cardstock	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	2014-2016 In Color Stampin' Write Markers

A quick post today to share some fun little Halloween treats that I've been preparing for a fundraiser that I'm attending next week. A friend of mine is raising funds for the Outspan School in Uganda where she sponsors a student and she invited me along to do a little crafting with the children and raise a few pennies.

We will be making a selection of sweet treats and fun Halloween favours, some of which I've shared with you before, such as these fun Halloween chocolate characters, with their Merry Everything Note Tag punched tags:

Some broomstick pencils, made with fringe scissor toppers:

Along with some pumpkin lollipops, made with the oval punch and some bird punch leaves:

A fun selection of treats that I'm sure we will have lots of fun making.

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Ornate Tag Topper Punch

Merry Everything Clear-Mount Stamp Set

Extra-Large Oval Punch

Bird Builder Punch

Fringe Scissors

Today it's time for a new challenge over at Create With Connie and Mary and this week we have a great colour challenge for you:

When I sat down to work on my card this week I realised that all of the challenge colours could be found in the lovely English Garden Designer Series Paper, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to showcase it. I also used this week's sketch over at Retrosketches as the basis for my layout. Here's my card: 

I used a base of Hello Honey with a mat of Soft Suede, then covered my cardfront with a piece of floral patterned paper featuring all of the colours. I added a 2" circle of Mossy Meadow and cut my banner from a piece of neutral kraft corrugated paper, to add texture and detail without detracting from the pattern. I stamped my sentiment from the 'Garden In Bloom' set in Soft Suede on Whisper White and matted this on a banner of Hello Honey, both of which I punched with my Triple Banner Punch. I considered using the butterfly from this set too as my embellishment, however it was a little too small to really stand out. I decided to go with a simple layered butterfly instead, punched using my Bitty Butterfly and Elegant Butterfly punches, with a couple of strands of gold metallic thread for antennae. To finish, I added a trio of Mossy Meadow enamel dots. This is one of those cards that really is 'all about the paper' - the English Garden papers are so very pretty though, they deserve to take centre stage. 

Do visit the other Design Team members to see how they used this week's challenge colours; there's lots of inspiration over on their blogs too!

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Just time to sneak in a creative post today with a couple of cards for this week's CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge. They have a great sketch this week and I managed to make not one but two cards (and will be using this layout for a couple more too!). Here's the sketch:

I wanted to make a Christmas card and whilst originally I had planned on an execution to my second card below, I was inspired byChrissy's card on the CAS(E) This Sketch design team and decided to take a slightly different tack and use some Designer Series Paper and a layer - here's my card:

I covered the front of my extra thick Whisper White cardstock base with a piece of snowflake-patterned Season of Cheer DSP and made a panel out of Night of Navy, cut out with my Project Life framelit and Big Shot, and repeatedly stamped the ' Let it snow!' sentiment from the 'Snow Place' stamp set in Versamark and heat embossed it in white. To finish I took a Snowflake Elements embellishment, stamped it in White kraft ink and heat embossed it in white, then stamped it again in Versamark and heat embossed it in Iridescent Ice to give it a wonderful sparkle. This snowflake DSP is one of my favourites in the Season of Cheer pack - I love the ombre effect of the finish and those snowflake embellishments are gorgeous, whether left plain or jazzed up a little as I did here. The photo doesn't show just how wonderfully sparkly the snowflake is in real life - it's really something!

For my second card I went with an every day card and decided to make something bright and colourful:

I used a Bermuda Bay card base and I took my colour inspiration from the Cherry on Top DSP stack of papers. I created my repeated 'Hello' sentiment using my Greetings thinlits. I decided to add a simple punched bird as my embellishment this time, punched from a piece of Watermelon Wonder Color Me Irresistible Specialty DSP  - you can't really see it in the photo, but I love the subtle embossed pattern this adds in real life - and a little Bermuda Bay wing.

Two very different takes on this week's sketch - do let me know which one you prefer in the comments below! Back tomorrow with my card for this week's new challenge over at Create With Connie and Mary. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Season Of Cheer Designer Series Paper	Snow Place Photopolymer Stamp Set	Snowflake Elements	Versamark Pad	White Stampin' Emboss Powder
Heat Tool (Uk)	Embossing Buddy	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock	Night Of Navy A4 Cardstock	Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits Dies
Greetings Thinlits Dies	Color Me Irresistible Specialty Designer Series Paper	Bird Builder Punch	Bermuda Bay A4 Cardstock	Pool Party A4 Cardstock
Crushed Curry A4 Cardstock	Cucumber Crush A4 Cardstock	Watermelon Wonder A4 Cardstock	Big Shot

It's Wednesday and you know what that means: a new collection of Wednesday Weekly Deals! These offers are valid for one week only. As always, a new collection of deals will be announced next Wednesday.

If you want to take advantage of any of the deals on offer, you can support my business by placing your order online by clicking here or using the link to my store on the right hand side of my blog page where it says 'Shop Online' or with me in person. Don't forget to add the new Hostess Code for October 9JGQEYWJ if your order is under £150 and be sure to make sure that you don't check the 'no contact' box if you'd like to be kept updated with the progress of you order and receive a little thank you in the post from me. 

Here's a summary of this week's one-week only Wednesday deals - only three this week again, click on each item to go to the online store to purchase:

2014-2016 In Color Designer Washi Tape

Chalk Talk Framelits Dies

Eclectic Paper-Piercing Pack

An eclectic but useful trio this week - I think the Chalk Talk Framelits are the best bargain - down to £16.50 and perfect for creating all kinds of layered tags for your Christmas gifts! 

Back later with today's creative project; until then, happy shopping!

I've had a busy day today with my 'Shake It Up!' Children's Craft Class making the shaker cards featured in the 'To You And Yours Shaker Cards Project Kit'. We all had tremendous fun and made lots of great cards. I'll share a picture from our class at the end of today's post, however in the meantime my blog project to share with you today is the one that my Facebook followers had a sneak peek of last week that I made with a lovely group of ladies - our Autumn leaf wreaths. We based our design on this one created by Stampin' Up! Artisan Designer Alison Okamitsu; I made a large wreath like Alison's to hang on my front door and the ladies liked it so much they wanted to create a similar, smaller version - here is ours:

We used a selection of muted colours and the wonderful Vintage Leaves stamp set and cut out the leaves using our Big Shot and co-ordinating Leaflets Framelits (one of the catalogue 15% off bundles if you are a bargain-hunter!), some pinecones, a few leaves punched with the bird builder punch and a burlap bow to finish. Isn't that pretty? The ladies were all so very pleased with their wreaths and their stamping as this is something of a first for them! 

This was a private class that I held for a group of like-minded friends who often invite me to run a class just for them. If you have a group of friends that you would like to arrange a crafty get-together with, or would simply like to join in with one of my existing scheduled classes, then do get in touch - I would love to hear from you! Don't forget the offer of additional Stampin' rewards is also still valid until the 9th November - party sales of £200 or more will earn an extra 3% of Stampin' Rewards (formerly known as Hostess Credits) so if you have a long wish list, I've still a few slots left so contact me to book your party today!

Before I go, let me share a photo of the James Juniors proudly displaying their handiwork from this morning's class:

Like mother, like daughter (and son!) as the saying goes - what else can I possibly add?!

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Vintage Leaves Photopolymer Bundle	Big Shot	Hello Honey A4 Cardstock	So Saffron A4 Cardstock	Pear Pizzazz A4 Cardstock
Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad	Smoky Slate A4 Cardstock	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad	Tip Top Taupe A4 Cardstock	Typeset Specialty Designer Series Paper
Bird Builder Punch	1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon

Good morning - happy Monday everyone! Today I have a card for this week's challenge over at Freshly Made Sketches where they have a great sketch to work with this week:

I used the sketch as the basis for today's Christmas card, although I did make my card landscape rather than portrait as it seemed to fit my layers a little better. Here's my card:

I decided to use the 'Santa's on his way' sentiment from the Cup of Cheer stamp set for my focal sentiment and stamped it in Archival Basic Black on Very Vanilla, popping up the banner element which I stamped in Real Red. I backed this with an offset piece of red striped paper from the Home For Christmas DSP pack, and used a piece of the snow paper from the same set for my background. I used some retired Very Vanilla seam binding for my vertical stripe and for my second overlaid element I fussy cut one of the adorable Santa figures from the Home For Christmas DSP - I just love these papers, I am on my fourth pack already!

Today I will be putting the finishing touches to the preparations for my children's shaker Christmas Card class tomorrow. I'll be back to tell you all about it then and will have another project to share with you. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Cup Of Cheer Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Home For Christmas Designer Series Paper	Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad	Pool Party A4 Cardstock
Very Vanilla A4 Cardstock

It's Sunday and time for a new challenge over at The Paper Players! This week it is the turn of the multi-talented Nance, who not only produces fabulous cards but also designs all our challenge badges and does so much to keep our challenge blog running smoothly - thank you Nance! This week we have a clean and simple challenge for you:

I considered going with something autumnal for my card today, but in truth I've had this idea for a card in my head for a while and decided that since it fits today's brief it was about time I got it down on paper - and it's a Christmas card! Take a look:

I've been using my Vintage Leaves set a lot this week and I'm not sure whether it is meant to be or not, but the large spiky leaf definitely reminds me of holly, so I decided to use it on a Christmas card. I used Mossy Meadow for my card base and adhered a strip of the gingham patterned paper from the Merry Moments DSP stack down the left hand side. My raised panel is extra thick Whisper White cardstock, out of which I cut the spiky leaf shape using the co-ordinating Leaflets Framelits Dies - another one of the great 15% off bundles when you purchase both items together from the current catalogue - and stamped the leaf in Mossy Meadow directly onto the Mossy Meadow panel below, so that it could be seen through the aperture. I then stamped another leaf on a separate piece of Mossy Meadow and cut this out with the same framelit too, positioning it at an angle over the first one and overhanging the edge of the white panel. My 'Joy' sentiment is from the Holly Jolly Greetings set and stamped in Real Red. To finish, I added a trio of Cherry Cobbler Home For Christmas enamel dots for my berries - I love these, they add the perfect finishing touch to my card. So what do you think - do these leaves work as holly? Either way, I am pleased with the finished result.

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

I look forward to seeing your CAS creations this week.

I'm having a change of sport today as Rebecca is playing in her first club hockey tournament of the season, so I'm off to cheer her team on and then we'll be home for a late lunch. Fortunately for us this weekend marks the start of our school half-term holiday, so we have a lovely two week break from our routine of homework and early mornings to look forward to, which is especially welcome given how cold and dark it has been this week  - far from jumping out of bed in the morning I am more inclined to snuggle under the duvet and hibernate! Enjoy your Sunday however you are choosing to spend it.

I'll be back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Vintage Leaves Photopolymer Bundle	Big Shot	Holly Jolly Greetings Wood-Mount Stamp Set	Home For Christmas Enamel Dots	Merry Moments Designer Series Paper Stack
Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock	Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad	Mossy Meadow A4 Cardstock	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad