Today I have my card for the new challenge over at Festive Friday. 

The challenge that we are celebrating this week is 'National Family PJ Day' which is on November 14th - who knew?! Remember the fun thing is that at Festive Friday you do not need to actually celebrate the occasion; your goal is to simply use three or more items from the inspiration list on your project. This week I used hot chocolate, cookies and circles along with the sketch over at Sunday Stamps for my layout and this is what I came up with:

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

To The Rescue - I almost struggled to combine enough of the elements this week - I had most of them in one form or another, but not that could be used together. Then I remembered I had some of this retired 'Night Before Christmas' designer series paper from a few years ago in my stash and bingo - it gave me cookies and hot chocolate in one! All I needed to do was combine with the 'Nothing's Better Than' stamp set for my sentiment and the Love You More Than co-ordinating dies for my diecut circle-shaped cookies and I had a trio!

A Cookie Trio - I stamped and diecut a trio of cookies to compliment my greeting on the front of my card, which I carried over to the inside too:

This set really is so much fun - you can create all kinds of greetings and messages with it! This card will be perfect to go with a home-baked gift in the run up to the festive season and is sure to make someone smile!

A Stacked Sentiment - I diecut the word 'cookies' in my greeting and triple-stacked it to add height, using Poppy Parade to pick up the colour of the mugs on the paper - I used this for my banner topper too. 

Whilst this isn't a Christmas card, I think the red gives it a fun, festive feel. I also added some of the Early Espresso suede effect ribbon to the topper - this feels so luxurious and makes nice flat bows 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. 

How does our board inspire you? I can’t wait to see what YOU create! For more inspiration, be sure to visit the rest of the Festive Friday Challenge Design team:

Ann Schach
Beth McCullough
Sharon Hashimoto Burkert
Melanie Hungerford
Helen Jennings
Melva Peters
Jaydee
Diane Evans
Joanne James

Like many families, the James' have a long-standing tradition of family pyjamas at Christmas time. My husband jokes that he has more Christmas PJs than ones he can wear all year around! Here's a Christmas selfie of us sporting ours from last Christmas:

These were actually quite tasteful considering some of the designs we've sported over the years - I guess that's what happens when you have discerning teenagers in the house! Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

NOTHING'S BETTER THAN PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (£21.00)	LOVE YOU MORE THAN DIES (£28.00)	VERY VANILLA A4 CARDSTOCK (£9.75)	POPPY PARADE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	EARLY ESPRESSO CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	CRUMB CAKE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)
EARLY ESPRESSO 1/4" (6.4 MM) FAUX SUEDE TRIM (£6.25)

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. This is our last challenge of the month and Michal is ending with a great sketch: 

Feel free to flip or rotate the sketch when making your card.

For my card today I thought I'd take the orange and green colours over at Color Hues and create a sunny and fresh clean and simple card using one of my all-time favourite stamp sets, 'Simply Fabulous' - take a look:

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

I masked off the corner of my white card front and used Pumpkin Pie, Pale Papaya and Granny Apple Green inks to stamp flowers and leaves randomly across the corner of my card. I then removed my masking paper, and using my Take Your Pick tool, scored three lines on the reverse following the contour of my stamped panel, before finishing with a greeting from the same set:

All done - easy as that,#SimpleStamping at its best! This card would work in lots of different colour combos and with other images too - I love the way the scored lines add a finishing detail to the panel. Apologies for the rather ropey quality of today's photos - the lighting was very strange yesterday and the images are more grainy than I'd like - I think a recently re-inked Granny Apple Green ink pad might have something to do with that (oops!)

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 half-term here and as one James Junior is visiting Alcatraz the other is revising a combination of Physics and 'An Inspector Calls' - delightful! It does mean that I managed to get a little extra creative time in yesterday so I have another card to share! I'll be back later with another post with that card. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

SIMPLY FABULOUS PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (£17.00)

TAKE YOUR PICK (£9.50)

GRANNY APPLE GREEN CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)

PUMPKIN PIE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)

PALE PAPAYA CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£8.25)

I had a little extra crafty time yesterday so thought I'd pop by to share an extra card that I made with the current Fusion sketch:

When I had my Santa Express Memories and More Cards out on my desk to make this card that I shared with you on Sunday, it occurred to me that one of the large cards would be a great jumping-off point for the Fusion sketch and with just a few extra bits and pieces I could make another quick Christmas card to add to my stash - take a look:

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

This is another of those cards where the Memories and More cards take the strain - you can see the 'undressed' card in the corner of the photo at the bottom of this post - I added a simple banner and a wreath cut in Shaded Spruce cardstock using the Country Wreaths Dies, decorated with a bow cut from white velvet paper for a little added texture and some glittery (retired) enamel dot berries (the sequins listed below would make a good current substitute):

I didn't need to do any stamping, as the card had a sentiment already printed onto it - I simply picked out some key colours and shapes (the wreath detail echoes the berry detail on the M&M card) and used those for my banner detail. This is a great way to dress up a simple card base - perfect for a quick card.

Also - did you know that Stampin' Up! sells Basic White Assorted Memories and More Cards and Envelopes in packs of 20, that are sized perfectly to fit memories and More cards? You don't even need to cut anything down to size; bonus! You can find them on page 136 of the Annual Catalogue and they are the perfect addition to your Christmas craft supplies for quick and easy cardmaking. 

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 more news. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

SANTA EXPRESS MEMORIES & MORE CARD PACK (£11.25)	BASIC WHITE ASSORTED MEMORIES & MORE CARDS & ENVELOPES (£10.00)	COUNTRY WREATHS DIES (£37.00)	PETAL PINK A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	SHADED SPRUCE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	ADHESIVE BACKED SEASONAL SEQUINS (£6.75)
SNOWY WHITE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) VELVET SHEETS (£4.75)

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the fabulous Ann to host this week and she has my favourite, a sketch challenge for us to work with:

I saw Ann's sketch and immediately knew what I wanted to do with it - I love it when that happens! I mirror-flipped the sketch on the vertical and this is what I came up with - take a look:

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

A Christmas Shaker - Who can resist a shaker, let alone one that is this colourful and festive?! I thought that central frame would be perfect for a feature shaker, filled with red, white and silver sequins. I made a frame using my Rectangle Stitched Framelits and used one of the patterned acetates from the Santa Express Memories and More Cards for my shaker front: 

I chose some complimentary papers from the Santa Express designer series paper pack in Poppy Parade and a colourful 'ho, ho, ho' design for my frame and central border element to tie in with my shaker frame.

Ho Ho Santa - I accented my shaker frame with a jolly santa that I fussy cut from one of the Santa Express Memories and More cards, to which I added one of the flat jingle bell trinkets using some co-ordinating (retired) festive baker's twine.

Don't Forget The Inside - I finished the inside of my card with another offcut of designer paper and a sentiment from the Sweet Candy Canes stamp set - I also used a narrow one from the same set on the front of my card:

I just love this card - so fun!! The Santa Express Memories & More cards are just fantastic - so useful for cards and scrapbooking alike! This is the first one of the included acetates that I've used; I also love the wood word diecuts too. An all-round, super useful set!

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; we are taking it easy following our early start; I think ironing and an afternoon movie might be required! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

SANTA EXPRESS MEMORIES & MORE CARD PACK (£11.25)	SANTA EXPRESS 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£11.25)	SWEET CANDY CANES CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (£21.00)	POPPY PARADE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	STITCHED RECTANGLE DIES (£33.00)	SPARKLE & SHINE SEQUINS ASSORTMENT (£6.75)
FLAT JINGLE BELL TRINKETS (£7.00)	FOAM ADHESIVE STRIPS (£7.50)

Today I'm sharing the card that pairs with the one I shared earlier in the week using the Ringed With Nature bundle; this uses the same colours, but a different layout - I used the Try Stamping on Tuesday sketch as my starting point (mirrored to work with my embossing folder):

I used the Tree Rings Embossing Folder to emboss the whole of the cardfront, then layered an extra two for the detail, focusing on the dies in the set - take a look:

 Here's the low-down on today's card:

I used acorns tied with linen thread, along with some leaves and berries accented with in-colour matt dots for my top circle, followed by a trio of mushrooms for the second circle:

I carried the toadstool design over to the envelope and the inside of my card, which I completed with a 'get well soon' message. This card is already in the post to a dear friend of mine who is definitely in need of a pick-me-up this week, following an unexpected emergency surgery whilst already recuperating from an unrelated procedure. I hope she likes it!

Here's a photo of both of my Ringed With Nature cards together - I think they make a great pair. Which do you prefer? The one that focuses on the stamped images or the dies? 

Do leave me a comment below - I'd love to hear your thoughts.

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; we had early hockey today with both James Juniors playing at the same time - a rare thing! It did mean I managed to squeeze in an extra post; the rest of my day will be spent getting the oldest ready for a school trip to San Francisco tomorrow and an early night in readiness for the super-early Sunday alarm - well, we can't have everything, can we?! and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

RINGED WITH NATURE BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (£50.25)	CHERRY COBBLER A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	SWEET SORBET A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	VERY VANILLA A4 CARDSTOCK (£9.75)	EARLY ESPRESSO A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	CRUMB CAKE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)
CHERRY COBBLER CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	SWEET SORBET CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	EARLY ESPRESSO CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	CRUMB CAKE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	LINEN THREAD (£4.75)	2022-2024 IN COLOR MATTE DECORATIVE DOTS (£7.50)

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

I used Jacqui's sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches for my layout this week - can you guess how I filled in the blank? Here's my card:

 Here's the low-down on today's card:

For Me The Spookiest Thing on Halloween Is Always - .. the fact that there are even more spiders than usual! I'm all for appreciating all creatures great and small, but I draw the line at spiders and wasps! I've been stung by a wasp on three separate occasions - each of them memorable and none of them pleasant and as for spiders, well they just give me the heebie-jeebies, especially furry ones or ones with the long, spindly legs!! So today's card had to feature spiders! It actually started with the stamped one, which comes from the Cottage Wreaths stamp set. Ironically, one of the reasons I bought this set was for the spider and the 'boo' greeting, as it allowed for versatility given that I didn't want to buy lots of Halloween sets but I honestly haven't been able to bring myself to create a Halloween wreath featuring this particular arachnid - every time I go to visit another blog to leave a comment and I see this spider featured on a card, it literally makes my skin creep!

I decided to pair both the spider and greeting with some (retired - Happy Hauntings) designer paper squares, also featuring a similar spider, and create a simple feature where this one looks like he's escaping the paper via his 'web' line of pierced dots courtesy of my Take Your Pick Tool. I also added an embossed spider's web to the black mat layer, although this is difficult to see in the photos and I embossed the envelope flap too for additional spooky effect. Against my better judgement, here's a close-up of the escapee:

Whilst I actually like the finished card, I have absolutely no idea who to send it too - does anyone out there actually like spiders?! Answers below please - I will happily send this card your way! I am also going to share the loveliness of today's Halloween creation with the ladies over at SUO Challenges where they are all about Halloween for a second entry.

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 Fill in the Blank challenge, complete the sentence in the Challenge Banner with the phrase that is true for you and create your project using the words you used. Tell us what you said in your blog or on your site.

Enjoy your day - it's Friday so my cleaning day and the housework beckons - off to do battle with the real-life spiders and their cobwebs, which are always more prevalent at this time of year as they come indoors to escape the chillier autumn weather. Wish me luck! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

COTTAGE WREATHS PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (£18.00)

STYLISH SHAPES DIES (£28.00)

TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (£5.75)

VERY VANILLA A4 CARDSTOCK (£9.75)

BASIC BLACK A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)

TAKE YOUR PICK (£9.50)

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

Apologies for the lateness of today's post - life sometimes gets in the way! I used the Atlantic Hearts sketch for my layout and the colours over at Colour Inkspiration and went down the first column of the board with foliage, acorn/berries and trees/wood - take a look:

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

I used the Ringed with Nature stamp set and co-ordinating Tree Rings Hybrid Embossing Folder to stamp some leaves, florals and berries onto my vanilla layer (having stamped-off first), along with some splatters, then added a diecut tree ring, layered with diecut and stamped elements that I fussy cut, a linen twine bow and a Textural Elements wooden berry sprig, to which I added a trio of (retired) Cherry Cobbler enamel dots. I stamped and fussy cut my sentiment and added that alongside:

This is one of those cards that just evolved into the finished product as I added and removed bits and pieces until I was happy with it. I love the texture of the diecut elements and by sponging them with additional colour it really adds depth. In fact, I liked the colours so much I made a second card - I'll share that with you on Saturday!

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

RINGED WITH NATURE BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (£50.25)	CHERRY COBBLER A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	VERY VANILLA A4 CARDSTOCK (£9.75)	EARLY ESPRESSO A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	CRUMB CAKE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	CHERRY COBBLER CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)
SWEET SORBET CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	EARLY ESPRESSO CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	CRUMB CAKE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	LINEN THREAD (£4.75)	QUIET MEADOW CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (£20.00)	TEXTURAL ELEMENTS (£7.50)

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 and stocks are already lower than they were earlier today, so don't spend too long deliberating - get in there quick! There are some great paper bargains, including many designer series papers, accessories, kits and punches. 

Click here to go the clearance rack in my online store and grab a bargain whilst stocks last! Don't forget to include the current hostess code WUN4D92Q in order to receive your special 'thank you' in the post from me. 

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

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

 For my card today I used the sketch layout over at Try Stamping on Tuesday and used my Country Wreaths bundle to create a thank you card that is great for using up scraps - take a look:

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

A Colour Confession - First up - a colour confession! I was feeling totally pleased with myself for having made my card for this challenge much earlier than I usually do, until I went to upload it and realised I had used the wrong colours - I made a card using Pumpkin Pie instead of Michal's chosen Pale Papaya!! So I quickly went and made a duplicate in the correct colours. I had already worked up all my photos though, so I am sharing both with you here. On the upside - you get a two for one and we can have a debate on white card you like best!!

A Liberal Sketch Interpretation - I often get asked how I go about interpreting a sketch when I make a card and today's card is a good example of a less than literal one, so worthy of some explanation! I really liked the offset layers of the TSOT sketch but decided to make both my base and first mat white, so as not to detract from the clean and simple feel of my card. For the third 'layer', I added a selection of strips in the challenge colours and staggered their lengths to add interest; this is a great way to incorporate blocks of colour in a small area and it uses up scraps too, so win-win! I used this as the basis for my neutral-toned wreath, stamped with the 'Cottage Wreaths' set, with white diecut detail behind. I added some additional leaf sprigs and a gingham bow focal point. Finally, those three dots? I added three sequins on my initial card and a trio of gems on my remake but scattered them around my wreath.

This is a stretch from the sketch - but the elements of the sketch are all there. I love sketches - they are a great jumping-off point for a card.

This or That? - Here's a photo of both of my cards - one slightly bolder than the other. Which one is your favourite?

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:

COTTAGE WREATHS BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (£49.50)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£8.25)	SAHARA SAND CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	SAHARA SAND A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	PACIFIC POINT CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	PACIFIC POINT A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)
PALE PAPAYA CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	PALE PAPAYA A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	PUMPKIN PIE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	PUMPKIN PIE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	ADHESIVE BACKED SEASONAL SEQUINS (£6.75)	BRIGHTS 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£11.25)

Today I'm sharing an extra card that I made earlier this week that was inspired by the fun challenge over at Global Design Project #GDP364 this week:

It's CASE The Designer week featuring the talented Madeleine Mrotzek, who makes the most beautiful cards! Madeleine's cards often feature rainbows of colour, small images and lots of white space. I couldn't resist the opportunity to play along - take a look:

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

I kept with the white slimline basic layout and followed her rainbow of colour, but instead of stamped balloons opted for a sprinkling of tiny stamped snowflakes (from the retired 'Snowflake Wishes' stamp set overlaid with a row of rainbow Cottage Wreaths diecuts. I finished with a silver heat-embossed sentiment from 'Christmas Banners' and a sprinkling of iridescent rhinestones - don't you just love how they pick up the colours of everything they reflect:

The larger wreaths fill this Christmas card with a rainbow of festive colour and the slimline design is a great way to showcase these pretty dies.

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:

COUNTRY WREATHS DIES (£37.00)	CHRISTMAS BANNERS PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (£22.00)	IRIDESCENT RHINESTONES BASIC JEWELS (£7.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£8.25)	COASTAL CABANA A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	COASTAL CABANA CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)
POOL PARTY A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	POOL PARTY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	GRANNY APPLE GREEN A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	GRANNY APPLE GREEN CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	MANGO MELODY A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	MANGO MELODY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)
PALE PAPAYA A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	PALE PAPAYA CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	CALYPSO CORAL A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	CALYPSO CORAL CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	POLISHED PINK A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	POLISHED PINK CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)
VERSAMARK PAD (£9.00)	METALLICS EMBOSSING POWDERS (£17.00)