It's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! My dear friend Claire is the hostess this week and she has a fun and timely theme for us to work with:

I know some of my readers in other countries have already seen a return to school, but for us this week Wednesday is the day, so this week's challenge is a timely one. Is it me or do all Mums especially get just a little excited at the prospect of the start of a new academic year and a return to school after the long summer break? Don't get me wrong, I love having my two Juniors at home and am thankful for the break from the sometimes relentless activities that comprise the school routine, however all good things must come to an end and so it is that we are getting ready to begin a new school year, with the excitement, opportunities and challenges that this will undoubtedly bring.

I've double projects for you today as I needed some gift packaging for a teacher gift this week, so took the opportunity to create a fun gift box and co-ordinating card - take a look:

The gift box is rather large (approx. 18 inches long) so was something of a challenge to photograph but hopefully the detail below will enable you to see how I made it. Here's the low-down on today's projects:

A Window Turned Pencil Box - Having made an elongated box with my Window Box previously with the ladies in one of my technique classes earlier this year, I knew that I could use the same idea to create my pencil-shaped box. I cut one piece of the window box without cutting straight through and elongated this for the length of my sheet of A4 Crushed Curry cardstock. I then cut another piece that was the same length and the width of three sides, for the opposite 3 sides of my pencil, but without a bottom/lid. Instead I used some Maths to create a template for my pencil point in Crumb Cake, and adhered this inside the end of the tube to create my pencil point:

Here's a shot showing you how the main body of the pencil box opens to accommodate the main gift:

In addition to the main box, I also made a complete box using my Window Box Thinlits in Blushing Bride for my eraser and adhered this to the top of my pencil, which also opens separately - just big enough to add a little treat or two inside to accompany my main gift:

Finally I added a sleeve created from silver foil, to hold the pencil box closed securely - it just slides off to create access to the main box. A banner tag decorated with an apple - every teacher project has to have one, right? - finished my box. 

Pieces And Patterns For A Co-ordinating Card - I wanted a card to co-ordinate with my gift box, so decided to replicate the pencil design on a simple card using the pencil stamp from the Pieces and Patterns set. I masked a square and created my own repeating pattern - thank heavens for a stamp-a-ma-jig! - and then added a banner sentiment from the same set, again anchored with an apple (made using an old die I have in my stash):

Back To School Colours - My back-to-school pencil and apple colours fit perfectly with the colour palette and photo inspiration over at The Color Throwdown this week (I hope I'll be allowed my pink eraser and a few neutrals (the pencil really wouldn't be complete without it). I'm also linking my card up with the challenge over at Addicted to CAS where the code word is 'apples' and both of my projects fit the bill over at Paper Craft Crew where they have extended their 'back to school' challenge for another 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 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:

I look forward to seeing what you create with this week's theme. Enjoy the rest of your weekend as it will be over all too quickly; I'll be back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Window Box Thinlits Dies	Crushed Curry A4 Cardstock	Crumb Cake A4 Cardstock	Basic Black A4 Cardstock	Blushing Bride A4 Cardstock
Real Red A4 Cardstock	Silver Foil Sheets	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock	Pieces & Patterns Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad
Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad

Happy 1st September everyone! Yes, this day has finally arrived! The new Autumn-Winter Seasonal Catalogue is here - you can download an electronic copy by clicking on the image below:

Physical catalogues have gone out in the post to my existing customers and anyone else who requested a copy; there will of course be a permanent link to the catalogue in the box on the right side of my blog page until 2nd January 2018 when the sales period ends. I've already shared a few sneak peeks and there is so much more to come! For today, put your feet up and browse the new catalogue in all its glory.

And there's more good news! Between now and the end of October, we have a fabulous promotion too - host a party with qualifying sales and you can earn the Merry Patterns stamp set for FREE in addition to your standard Stampin' Rewards that you will receive. Check it out here:

The Merry Patterns Stamp Set is a two-step stamp set exclusive to this promotion and, with its candles, holly, jolly deer and classic sentiments, reflects all the cosiness and warmth you associate with the season. As a party host you will get this set for free if your party sales reach the qualifying amount of £250. So why not gather some friends, get creative and earn rewards and a free stamp set into the bargain! I have both daytime and evening party slots available - either call me on 07773 421446 or email me via joanne@thecraftyowl.co.uk to book yours.

The lovely people at Stampin' Up!'s home office have also produced a short video that shows the Merry Patterns stamp set in action along with some great samples - check it out:

Isn't that great?! Lots of creative possibilities for sure with this set. 

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or queries. Don't forget to use this month's current hostess code KJ9FSDMS if you are placing an order online to receive an extra thank you from me. Back soon with more creative inspiration for you. Until then, happy browsing and get writing that wish list! 

The Bank Holiday is over and we are back to normality. I'm sharing another card from my recent technique class featuring the Colorful Seasons stamp set using the baby wipe technique, this time with a winter theme - take a look:

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

Triple Stamping Technique - Today's card uses the same babywipe reinker technique that I shared with you yesterday, this time using the snowflake outline images and also incorporates another fun technique: triple stamping. This is where you stamp over several layers to create a dimensional image, or alternatively stamp over a single layer then cut your sheet into a central piece with two surrounding frames using your trimmer. Each stamped section is then layered with a solid coloured mat in between to add dimension to the image.

Seasonal Layers Snowflake - The co-ordinating Seasonal Layers Thinlits have a number of fun dies and today's card features one of the snowflakes, so incredibly detailed - check it out in the close up at the start of today's post. It makes a great focal point, this time with a glitter enamel dot as its centrepiece.

A Frosty Colour Combo - Today's colour combination is all about frosty, cold wintry days - here it is for you if you'd like to save it to use on your winter and Christmas projects:

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 from my class that also uses the baby wipe reinker technique. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Colorful Seasons Photopolymer Bundle	Whisper White A4 Cardstock	Glitter Enamel Dots	Dapper Denim A4 Cardstock	Dapper Denim Classic Stampin' Pad
Dapper Denim Classic Stampin' Ink Refill	Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad	Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pad	Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad	Christmas Pines Photopolymer Stamp Set

Today it's a Bank Holiday Monday here in the weekend and for once it looks as if the sun is going to shine - woohoo! I'm sharing a card from my recent technique class featuring the Colorful Seasons stamp set using a fun technique - take a look:

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

Baby Wipe Technique - The Colorful Seasons stamp set has a great selection of solid and outline stamp images that work well with the babywipe reinker technique. This is where you create your own multi-coloured ink pad by adding a selection of colours to a baby wipe and then use this as your ink pad to create a variegated look. I used the technique with the small solid leaf stamp for my autumnal card - it reminds me of falling autumn leaves, which are often a mix of colours. 

Seasonal Layers Skeletal Leaf  - The co-ordinating Seasonal Layers Thinlits have a number of fun dies that include this gorgeous leaf, so incredibly detailed. It makes a great focal point, tied with a little linen thread and a decorative wooden heart (this one is retired but I've included the link below for the current version).

An Autumnal Colour Combo - This colour combination sums up the season for me - here it is for you if you'd like to save it to use on your autumn and fall projects:

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 from my class that also uses the baby wipe reinker technique. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Colorful Seasons Photopolymer Bundle	Pumpkin Pie A4 Cardstock	Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad	Early Espresso A4 Cardstock
Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad	Linen Thread	Hearts & Stars Elements	Whisper White A4 Cardstock

I've been absent from my blog for a few days - once again precious time with my Juniors this week as we make the most of our school summer holidays hasn't left me time for blogging during the latter part of this week. Luckily for you today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! The lovely Laurie is the hostess this week and she has a sketch for us to work with:

I tried a few different things for my card today, but kept wanting to put a sentiment in the circle! Since I was trying to be truly faithful to Laurie's sketch, I kept at it then it hit me - the answer was in a piece of paper I have been saving for just such an opportunity! Take a look:

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

What Birthday Memories Are Made Of -  In the end this card makes me feel like a little bit of a cheat, since there is very little stamping and the gorgeous sheet of Birthday Memories Designer Series Paper does all the hard work! There are some gorgeous papers in this pack, all of which contain intricate and colourful birthday imagery reminiscent of days gone by. The sheet I've used today is a design that covers the whole of the 12" x12" sheet and is really one that is hard to cut into. It makes a beautiful gift box lid or gift bag where you can see the entire animal parade.

Big Is Beautiful - I happened to have a half-width of this sheet of designer paper left over from another project, so decided to upsize my card to the larger size of 14.9cm x 21cm in order to accommodate as much of the design as possible, including those fun floating balloons. To emphasise the shape of the sketch, which I represented with the little racoon, I decided to fussy-cut another identical racoon out of one of the other sheets of DSP and pop it up on dimensionals, allowing it to hang over the edge of my central panel. 

Don't Forget The Envelope - The only stamping on my card front was for my sentiment I couldn't resist embellishing with a gift that I also cut out of the DSP too), and on the inside. I also used the 'Birthday Delivery' stamp set to stamp and decorate my envelope front and back though - a special handmade card shouldn't stop at the card front, although I don't often photograph mine to share with you. For some great examples of this be sure to check out my teamie Nance's blog - her cards always look as fabulous on the inside as on the outside :-)

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. 

This paper is truly gorgeous and it's almost as if it was made for Laurie's sketch this week. I love this card - I just need to find a special little person to send it it to now! 

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 what you create with our sketch this week. Enjoy the rest of your weekend as it will be over all too quickly; we are lucky that we have a Bank Holiday here in the UK so it's a slightly longer one than usual - I'm hoping for some sunshine! I'll be back this week with some of the projects from my last class and maybe even another sneak peak or two of some great sets from the upcoming Autumn-Winter seasonal catalogue, so stay tuned. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Birthday Memories Designer Series Paper	Birthday Delivery Photopolymer Stamp Set	Soft Sky A4 Cardstock	Basic Gray A4 Cardstock	Whisper White A4 Cardstock
Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies	Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

Today I'm sharing my second card in a row for the current colour challenge over at As you See It:

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, this was the first card I made using these colours and the Carols of Christmas bundle - take a look:

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

Carols of Christmas - I used the other large sentiment from the Carols Of Christmas stamp set on my card today, again inking the sentiment in Elegant Eggplant and Real Red, using the rock 'n' roll ink technique to blend the colour across the centre of the stamp for a two-tone effect. I layered my stamped panel using my Layering Squares Framelits for a little extra colour and detail.

A Fancy Fold - The real interest on today's card is the fancy fold. This is called a Folded Corner Card, although I adapted the fold to the centre as I wanted a wide border that was equal and opposite to the inside edge, where I decorated the border with stamped and cut out poinsettias.

Paper-Pieced Poinsettias - For the opposing corner, I used the detail of the poinsettia corner thinlit and paper-pieced the flowers, berries and leaves, finishing off with a few pearl centres. It was a little fiddly, especially the berries, however worth it to show both of the poinsettia pieces.

So what do you think? Which one do you prefer - yesterday's card which you can see here if you missed it or today's? 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. 

I have the second of my technique classes this month this morning so I will be busy. Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow with another project - perhaps I'll share something from today's class. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Carols Of Christmas Clear-Mount Bundle	Carols Of Christmas Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Card Front Builder Thinlits Dies	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock	Elegant Eggplant A4 Cardstock
Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad	Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad	Real Red A4 Cardstock	Lemon Lime Twist A4 Cardstock
Pearl Basic Jewels	Layering Squares Framelits Dies

Today I'm sharing a card for the current colour challenge over at As you See It:

Continuing with my run of Christmas cards, I decided it was time to finally ink up my new Carols of Christmas bundle - take a look:

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

Carols of Christmas - Carols of Christmas is a bundle that features in the new forthcoming Autumn-Winter seasonal catalogue. Christmas has come early at Stampin' Up! though and it has been available to all customers to purchase since the beginning of August, a whole month early. It features two large focal sentiments and a range of accompanying pieces, with everything from baubles to poinsettias and a sweet deer. Here I've inked the sentiment in Elegant Eggplant and Real Red, using the rock 'n' roll ink technique to blend the colour across the centre of the stamp for a two-tone effect.

Frame Your Card - The Carols Of Christmas bundle also includes some great card front builder thinlits that can be used to create frames and decorative borders to your cards. I used the patterned edge frame on my card today. It adds a nice decorative border to your card without being too fussy. 

Hanging Baubles - I also cut out my ornaments individually using the co-ordinating thinlits; this is useful as it means you can be lazy when stamping the baubles and strings and stamp them in the colour that you want for your strings (here I stamped them in black) then stamp them again on some scrap paper in your chosen colours, then just cut out the baubles and pop them on top of the original stamped ones, enabling you to combine colours with ease. If you look at your card at an angle (see my thumb nail at the top of this post), you will be able to see the original stamps underneath if you pop you ornaments onto mini dimensionals - which are perfect for this by the way! - but they can't be seen from the front, so worth the time saved I think. I also used a few leftover baubles to decorate the inside of 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. 

So I have something of a confession to make: this is actually the second card I made for this week's As You See It challenge - I had an idea that I used for the first one but when finished I wasn't sure that I liked the finished result. I might share that one with you tomorrow to see what you think!

I have the second of my technique classes this month tomorrow morning so am looking forward to working with the Color Theory Suite, which is our bundle of choice. I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Carols Of Christmas Clear-Mount Bundle	Carols Of Christmas Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Card Front Builder Thinlits Dies	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock	Elegant Eggplant A4 Cardstock
Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad	Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

It's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's my turn to host this week and I have a clean and simple challenge for you to work with:

Time for some colouring fun! I love to colour, whether it's stamped images or pre-printed paper, with pencils, inks or marker pens, I find it so theraputic and a great stress-reliever. I took the opportunity to make a card using Jen's sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches this week and the colour palette at The Color Throwdown - take a look:

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

Today's card has barely any stamping; I used a piece of the Just Add Color Speciality Designer Series Paper for the base of my card today. Open designs printed on heavyweight paper, these papers have everything from feathers to houses, a complete underwater scene and lots more in between. I used my Stampin' Write markers to colour in my pretty design of watering cans and florals. I finished my card with the angled panel and a stamped and die cut sentiment.  

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. I also have another coloured creation to share with you today - Rebecca decided that she wanted to get in on the colouring action too as I made my card for today's post and made her own card at the same time, which she was adamant I shared with you too! So here it is:

Pretty, right? And all her own work too! Colouring is definitely something for everyone from the ages of 2 to 102!

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 clean and simple creations in the gallery this week. Enjoy the rest of your weekend as it will be over all too quickly; I'll be back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Just Add Color Specialty Designer Series Paper	Sunshine Wishes Thinlits Dies	Sunshine Sayings Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock	Melon Mambo A4 Cardstock
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Many Marvelous Markers	2017-2019 In Color Stampin' Write Markers

Today I'm popping by with a quick post and a card for this week's challenge over at CASology where they have a fun cue word:

Many of the designers over at CASology this week were inspired to use cacti or hedgehogs on their cards. Me? I have Christmas on the brain this week and I immediately thought 'holly' - take a look:

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

I use the holly berry sprig from the 'Holly Berry Happiness' stamp set, on carryover from last year and now available all year round in the annual catalogue, to create a holly wreath that I coloured in with my Pear Pizzazz and Old Olive Stampin' Write markers. I used the same layout that I used for my recent quilted Christmas card, stamping my wreath off the page and adding a strip of Coffee Break DSP and a sentiment banner accented with a piece of punched holly, courtesy of the Holly Berry Builder Punch, to finish. I stamped this lovely verse onto the inside too:

It was fun to get this set out again and always worth remembering that the annual catalogue has some great Christmas sets - you don't have to wait until the release of the new Autumn-Winter seasonal catalogue if you want to start festive crafting in earnest.

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:

Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Holly Berry Happiness Photopolymer Stamp Set	Holly Berry Builder Punch	Coffee Break Designer Series Paper
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad	Many Marvelous Markers	Pear Pizzazz A4 Cardstock

My week has been whizzing by as usual, but I've had a few snatched opportunities to create with my pre-order goodies and managed to whip up a quick card using this week's CAS(E) This Sketch using some new products:

I used a new stamp set called Christmas Quilt and some new co-ordinating designer series paper called Quilted Christmas for my border for my clean and simple Christmas card:

Such a versatile set with a wonderful homespun feel that will be useful for Christmas and beyond and is sure to appeal to the seamstresses out there. A lovely sentiment for the inside 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. 

The items used on today's card will be available to purchase when the new seasonal catalogue goes live on 1st September; if you're not already on my mailing list and don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator of your own and would like me to send you a catalogue, please get in touch with your details and I will pop one in the post to you when mine go out within the next week or so. 

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Quilted Christmas 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper	Christmas Quilt Photopolymer Stamp Set	Quilt Builder Framelits Dies	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock	Real Red A4 Cardstock
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad	Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad	Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad