Today I'm sharing a card for this week's challenge over at CAS(E) This Sketch:

 I needed to make some cards to go out with my In Color Club monthly packs and the sketch was perfect for creating a design that would work in each of the 2019-21 In Colors - take a look:

 Here's the low-down on today's card:

Above The Clouds - I used balloons to represent the flowers of the sketch. They make for easy two-step stamping, are great for multiples and this set has some great sentiments too. I stamped the flags directly onto some gingham in-color DSP and added them to the largest of the balloons, along with a linen bow to compliment the base card colour and the piece of in-color scalloped linen ribbon that I used for my second flag. 

Swirls and Curls - I decided to emboss a panel of Whisper White with the Swirls and Curls embossing folder to represent swirling clouds. I love the finished effect, but in hindsight it does make this card a little less clean and simple. What do think - swirls or no swirls? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

A Parade of In-Colors - I think the Sea Spray cards are my favourite, but I made multiples in each of the in-colors with the exception of Purple Posy (still no ink availability in the UK, but the latest samples have passed tests so Stampin' Up! is at last in a position to begin packaging and preparing ink for dispatch - hurrah!) - here they are together - 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. 

I have spent the day today having a major clear out of the toy room. Whilst this was no small task, the results speak for themselves - tidiness at last! Isn't there something so satifsying about a good old clear out? Tidy space, tidy mind as the saying goes!   

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Above The Clouds Bundle (£33.25)	Swirls & Curls Embossing Folder (£7.00)	2019-2021 In Color A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Seaside Spray Classic Stampin’ Pad (£7.00)	Rococo Rose Classic Stampin’ Pad (£7.00)
Terracotta Tile Classic Stampin’ Pad (£7.00)	Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad (£7.00)	Whisper White A4 Cardstock (£9.00)	Sahara Sand A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad (£5.50)
2019–2021 In Color 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper (£10.75)	Seaside Spray 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Scalloped Linen Ribbon (£7.50)	Rococo Rose 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Scalloped Linen Ribbon (£7.50)	Terracotta Tile 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Scalloped Linen Ribbon (£7.50)	Pretty Peacock 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Scalloped Linen Ribbon (£7.50)
Linen Thread (£4.75)

I've just got time to squeeze in my entry for the current challenge over at Festive Friday where the challenge is to feature a lighthouse and/or rays on your card:

I did a technique card last week featuring the Come Sail Away suite so have been making lots of lighthouse cards in readiness for this - here's one of them:

I had been doing some experimenting with inked backgrounds and on this card used some blue Brusho on Shimmery White cardstock, covered with scrunched up cling film before leaving to dry and then removed the cling film. I then covered with a liberal spritz of champagne shimmer and I added a collage of stamped and diecut bits and pieces from the Come Sail Away suite to complete my card. No rays of light - I was trying to capture stormy seas behind my lighthouse. This is quite a different card for me - watercoloured backgrounds and collage-style cards are not my forte, but it was fun to create and this is the first time I've used Brusho and really liked the finished effect.

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 have another card similar to this one which I will hopefully share later this week in an alternative colourway.

This is my card for Tuesday so I hope you enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Sailing Home Bundle (£46.75)	Shimmery White A4 Cardstock (£9.25)	Night Of Navy A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Smoky Slate A4 Cardstock (£8.25)
Basic Gray A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Whisper White A4 Cardstock (£9.00)	Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Embossing Buddy (£5.50)	Versamark Pad (£8.75)
Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder (£5.50)

Today I'm sharing a card that I made yesterday for the new challenge over at As you See It using this week's sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches, that also works for the challenge over at Just Add Ink this week:

Whilst I didn't set out to combine all three of these challenges this week, with the challenge over at As You See It being speed stamping, today's card was definitely no accident - take a look:

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

It's All In The Preparation - I'll be honest: I rarely make a card in under 10 minutes! For me the fun is in the planning and designing and I often make multiple bits and pieces and 'tinker' with my cards until I'm happy with them. That said, it can be done - the key is in the preparation. Fortunately for me, the AYSI speed stamping challenge requires you to complete a card in under 10 minutes and the clock starts as soon as you put ink to paper; you can decide on your design and gather your supplies in advance. So I grabbed Jen B's FMS sketch (a great go-to design) my co-ordinating shades of purple (Gorgeous Grape and Highland Heather) in cardstock, ink and markers, a Whisper White card base, stamps, dies, Big Shot and got ready to start my timer!

'C' Is For Craft - I decided to base my card around the stamps and dies in the 'Follow your Art' suite. I stamped my ink bottle and clip (and a couple of sentiments to diecut, although I didn't then use these as I stamped directly onto my card base) then ran them through my Big Shot with the purple die cut pieces, making two runs to get the duplicates. I added a quick dash of colour to my stamped diecut pieces, then set about constructing. It was only when I had finished my card that I realised it would be perfect for Just Add Ink this week too; it will a least spare the girls another of my Christmas cards, which I seem to have made for their last few challenges!!

Speedy Indeed - So I did work at fever pace and my desk looked like a bomb had gone off once I'd finished, but I managed to finish my card in 9 minutes and 46 seconds - hurrah! It was helped by the fact that my card base and mat layers were already cut to size - I keep a box of sizes that I use a lot ready prepared so that I can just 'grab and go' - the most time-consuming aspects were poking out the paper clips from the dies without tearing and tying the twine bow. Purple is one of my favourite colours, so this was a fun speed challenge indeed! Lastly, a disclaimer: I decorated a co-ordinating envelope too, but completed this outside of the speed stamping time - I couldn't quite manage this in the time constraints as well!

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 like my finished card so much I think I'm going to create a few more of these and send them to the ladies who are booked to attend my Creative Escapes Craft Retreat in October - this is the perfect time to stay up late and craft together!! I still have a couple of spaces left if you would like to join us for a fun weekend; you can get the full details here.

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

It Starts With Art Bundle (£44.00)	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock (£7.75)	Highland Heather A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Gorgeous Grape A4 Cardstock (£8.25)
Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Whisper White Solid Baker's Twine (£3.25)

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of my sweet friend Claire to host this week and she has a timely theme challenge for you to work with:

Many schools in the USA have returned or are about to return to school already. Here in the UK we have another 4 weeks of summer vacation, however this week's challenge is ensuring I stay organised and on schedule so my back to school cards will be completed in good time! I paired this week's theme with the colours from Color Throwdown which I thought were perfect for a school theme and used a new stamp set - check it out (literally!): 

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

Check You Out - I couldn't wait to snap up the 'Check You Out' stamp set as I knew this set would be perfect for teacher thank yous, back to school cards and lots more besides - and it has an owl, yay! My card uses just this one stamp set and each of the images has been stamped and fussy cut (except for the Crumb Cake library card wallet, which is stamped on the base layer) and then paper-pieced together to create my fun little combo. 

An Apple For The Teacher - I can't make a school-related card or teacher thank you without including an apple at least somewhere on my card. Today I created one using a 1" circle punch, that I cut a notch out of top and bottom and added some leaves courtesy of my leaf punch and a handcut stem. I stamped my sentiment onto it as it was a great way to highlight it on this fun back-to-school card.

#SimpleStamping - Today's card is a great example of #SimpleStamping: just one stamp set and inks and paper. Search the Stampin' Up! hashtag #SimpleStamping for lots of other examples that use minimal products that are great for quick and easy creative makes that are aimed at beginner and experienced crafters alike.

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; mine will be a lazy one pottering round the garden and trying to get a few outdoor jobs done before the weather turns this week. I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Check You Out Photopolymer Stamp Set (£15.00)	Crumb Cake A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Call Me Clover A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Real Red A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Whisper White A4 Cardstock (£9.00)
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Call Me Clover Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad (£5.50)	1" (2.5 Cm) Circle Punch (£12.00)
Leaf Punch (£15.00)	Happiness Blooms Enamel Dots (£6.50)

Today I'm sharing a card for the current challenge over at TGIF Challenges where they have a gorgeous bright colour palette this week:

I used these colours for Rebecca's birthday card from Ben as they were perfect for what I had in mind - take a look:

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

Magical Mermaid - I bought this set to make a set of pictures for my very own water baby - with her long, blond hair and swimming skills Rebecca could definitely pass for a mermaid! I heat embossed this one in gold onto shimmery white cardstock and fussy cut it, then coloured the tail with a combination of Gorgeous Grape and Melon Mambo, then added another coat of shimmer with my clear Wink of Stella pen - it is so sparkly in real life!

A Watery Scene - My watercolour skills generally leave a lot to be desired, so I stayed simple and watercoloured using Sahara Sand as my neutral for sand and overstamped with some shells for added detail, and used a wash of Coastal Cabana for the sea, with some bubbles stamped in full strength over the top. I also added some strands of seaweed in green for added detail, blending them in at the base.

A Touch of Sparkle - I stamped my sentiment on a stitched circle in Gorgeous Grape and before it was dry, sprinkled it with gold embossing powder and heat set it so that I managed to create gold highlights where the powder stuck. In addition to the sparkly mermaid tail this adds a lovely shimmer - essential for any card destined for Rebecca, that's for sure!

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:

Magical Mermaid Cling-Mount Stamp Set (£19.00)	Versamark Pad (£8.75)	Embossing Buddy (£5.50)	Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (£5.50)	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush (£7.50)
Melon Mambo A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Gorgeous Grape A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)
Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Stitched Shapes Dies (£28.00)	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock (£7.75)

Friday already? Where did this week go?! Today I'm sharing a card that I've been trying to share all week for the current challenge over at Addicted to CAS but time has simply run away with me:

Clean and simple was definitely the name of the game for me this week so I created another simple card using the Daisy Lane stamp set:

This card was super simple: a Coastal Cabana card base embossed with the Subtles embossing folder for a little texture, a stamped daisy stem that I then fussy cut and added to my card base. This took a little longer than stamping directly onto my base, but I do find fussy cutting quite relaxing so it was no hardship. A stamped sentiment from the same set punched out with the new Timeless Label Punch completes my card.

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:

Daisy Lane Cling Stamp Set (£21.00)	Subtle 3D Embossing Folder (£9.25)	Timeless Label Punch (£17.00)	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)
Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Coastal Cabana A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Whisper White A4 Cardstock (£9.00)

This is really Saturday’s post, which I wasn’t able to put live as I was away, so it has now turned in to Monday! I used last week's theme over at Global Design Project which was 'for the love of craft' for a last-minute entry to this week's Color Throwdown palette and current CAS Colours and Sketches sketch: 

As soon as I saw the sketch, I knew it would give me the opportunity in combination with the other two challenges to create a card that I’ve had percolating for some time - take a look:

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

Crafting Forever - ‘Crafting Forever’ is one of those sets that is a firm favourite with crafters, especially if you are making cards for other crafters, as we often do! That said, you don’t need to be a crafter to enjoy this set - the sentiments in this set are fun for anyone.

Ombre, Ombre - I decided to create a background of randomly stamped scissors, that I then heat embossed in white so that I could use my sponge brayer to create my bright ombré background. The scissors bring my card together and by brayering all three colours it makes the people on my card really stand out.

A Play on Words - So I haven’t used the sentiment featured on my card before, but I do love a punny sentiment and this one always makes me think of those chains of paper dolls that I used to make as a child. Anyone else spend hours on end cutting out little people and then dressing them and decorating them with different faces? I couldn’t resist creating two paper chain dolls for the elements of the sketch (I used copy paper so that it would have the same look and feel as my paper dolls I made as a child) and adhered them under the sentiment, which I masked onto my horizontal strip to suit the sketch layout. This funny punny card just makes me smile and I already know who I’m going to send it to! 

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:

Crafting Forever Cling-Mount Stamp Set (£19.00)	Embossing Buddy (£5.50)	Versamark Pad (£8.75)	White Stampin' Emboss Powder (£5.50)	Melon Mambo A4 Cardstock (£8.25)
Daffodil Delight A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Whisper White A4 Cardstock (£9.00)
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad (£5.50)

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

I love all the layers on Anne Marie’s sketch and thought that central panel would be perfect for me to break open a new stamp set and create with florals - take a look:

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

A Beautiful Friendship - I must confess the stamp set I used on my card today, ‘Beautiful Friendship’, is one I totally overlooked on my first pass of the catalogue. I always tell myself I don’t need any man re floral stamps, but for this one I just had to make an exception once I’d seen some of the lovely cards others had created with it - it has some great sentiments and a fab collection of florals that are so easy to use to create so many different floral arrangements and in so many different colours - I am officially hooked! 

#SimpleStamping Without The Stitched Rectangle - I stamped my florals (with a little bit of post-it note masking, because I wanted to fit a lot onto my panel) and cut out with a Stitched  Rectangle die as I didn’t want to add another mat to this central piece, however you could just as easily not and this would be perfect for this month’s Stampin’ Up! challenge to create a card using nothing more than stamps, inks, paper and DSP. ‘Beautiful Friendship’ is a great set for #SimpleStamping - it works on a multi-or single layered card and can be easily ‘dressed up’ or used alone to create some fabulous cards. 

Color Collection DSP - I decided on a fresh and summery blue and yellow colour combo for my card today, using a strip of yellow and a base of blue and white gingham for my framed layer. I used a piece of retired gingham paper from the Spring catalogue, but we are so lucky that we now have it in every colour in the in-Color and Color Collection - yay! I’ve linked to the Subtles Color Collection below if you need to stock up! I stamped my sentiment in Night of Navy directly onto my DSP frame, as I didn’t want to use a label. 

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 am spending day 2 at the London Aquatic Centre and the 2012 Olympic pool for the second day of Rebecca’s swimming meet. Yesterday was a good day and not too hot (I am thankful we cut a break in the heatwave here in the UK because poolside would otherwise have been unbearable!). Enjoy the rest of your weekend; I'll be back later with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Beautiful Friendship Photopolymer Stamp Set (£20.00)	Subtles 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper (£10.75)	Stitched Rectangle Dies (£33.00)	Daffodil Delight A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Whisper White A4 Cardstock (£9.00)
Balmy Blue A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)
Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)

Today I'm nice and early with my post as I am out with the James Juniors for a day of watersports with a view to keeping cool in the heatwave we are experiencing here in the UK, which is a good thing as it means I just have time to squeeze in my entry for the challenge at Just Add Ink this week, where I just couldn't resist that photo inspiration, that also works for the Christmas in July theme over at TGIF Challenges:

I went with a clean, white base so that my glittery baubles and sentiment could really shine - take a look:

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

I'm afraid I have used some retired bits and pieces on my card today (Pretty Pines Thinlits, Detailed Baubles Thinlits, Red Glimmer Paper, black and white DSP) because there was no other way to capture the elements of inspiration from those lovely festive lanterns, but the fabulous Merry Christmas Dies carried over to the annual catalogue and so will be seeing lots of action this season too and are available if you would like to get your hands on a set.

I am trying to use up a little of my retired stash to create some cards for my box and it feels good to mix in a little old with the new every now and again. Have any of you started Christmas crafting in earnest yet? Do leave me a comment below or even feel free to share your creations here on my Facebook page - I would love to see 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 day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Merry Christmas Dies (£26.00)

Merry Christmas To All Photopolymer Stamp Set (£25.00)

Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock (£7.75)

Gold Glimmer Paper (£4.75)

Silver Glimmer Paper (£4.75)

Today I'm sharing a card for the current challenge over at Fusion where they have a great sketch and ombre photo inspiration:

This is a great sketch to showcase one of my favourite stamps in the new Silhouette Scenes stamp set - take a look:

I stamped my silhouette image in Rich Razzleberry using my Stamparatus so that I could get a good solid image and used my largest layered oval diecut to cut it out. I overlaid my sentiment and stamped it in Versamark and heat embossed it in gold. 

I used some of my retired Painted With Love specialty designer series paper as a backdrop for this image as the photo inspiration reminded me of it - I love those splashed of gold foil.

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:

Silhouette Scenes Cling Stamp Set (£21.00)	Melon Mambo A4 Cardstock (£8.25)	Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad (£7.00)	Layering Ovals Dies (£33.00)	Embossing Buddy (£5.50)
Versamark Pad (£8.75)	Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (£5.50)