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

This week's card was a challenge for me in so many ways! I have no Irish connections so St Patrick's Day isn't a big thing for me, although I often make at least one project to celebrate and I thought these colours would be perfect. I decided on my design and really wanted to create a four leaf clover to tie in with a 'lucky' theme, however I couldn't make it work with my layout, so went with a three leaf clover and decided that for my card this would be just as lucky (cardmaker's prerogative ;-)). Here it is:

I made my simple clover leaf using the smallest heart from the Hearts Framelits set, and freehand cut the stem, then offset my sentiment, a combination of stamps using the 'lucky' from the Project Life sentiment set 'Remember This' and the 'you' from the Sale-A-Bration set 'Simply Wonderful'. One last confession from me - I actually used a sheet of Garden Green from the Regals DSP stack for my card - when I went to my folder, I had no Wild Wasabi - oops! The effect would be just the same with a Wild Wasabi polka dot paper though, so I went with it.

Do check out the gallery to see what the other members of the CCMC design team have come up with this week - we look forward to seeing your creations!

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

Today I'm sharing another of the cards that we made at my Monthly Technique Class yesterday, featuring the Indescribable Gift stamp set. This was the simplest of the cards we made, and features the 'spotlight' technique:

The basic idea is that you stamp your chosen image, then stamp it again a second time and punch out one area of the image that you would like to highlight and this is the piece you colour. I kept the layout of my card simple and highlighted one area of the blossom stem and coloured this with my Pink Pirouette, Wild Wasabi and Crumb Cake Blendabilties. Here's a close up of my spotlighted element: 

Another simple, yet effective technique that is perfect with an outlined stamp image. I love the sentiment on this card too - there's something very uplifting about it. If you live in or around Northampton and are either a keen cardmaker or someone interested in learning new techniques, my technique classes next month will be held on the 13th and 14th of April and will be featuring masking, sponging and reflection techniques using the stamp set 'Lovely As a Tree'. Full class details here - do get in touch for information and to book your place.

Before I sign off today, I wanted to share with you an important news announcement from Stampin' Up! today regarding the future of our Blendabilties product line. As some of you may be aware, there have been some quality issues with our alcohol markers. Following investigations with the manufacturer, a manufacturing problem has been identified that has resulted in damage to the fine nibs. As a company, Stampin' Up! prides itself on the quality of our products and since the incidence of failure is now outside of acceptable levels and the manufacturer is unable to guarantee a swift solution to the problem, it is with regret that the line is to be stopped with immediate effect in order to prevent further disappointment. If anyone has any issues with Blendabilities purchased from me, do get in touch so that I can arrange an exchange or refund. Meanwhile, I have some cards made and not yet blogged that use them that I will continue to share, although alas you will be unable to purchase the markers if you don't already own them. On the up side, the full range of Stampin' Write markers are unaffected and offer a wealth of colouring opportunities.

Back tomorrow with this week's Wednesday Deals and a new project.

Until then, happy stampin!

Stampin' Up Supplies Used:

Indescribable Gift Clear Stamp Set	Pink Pirouette A4 Card Stock	Basic Black A4 Card Stock	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
1-3/4 Inch Circle Punch

Happy Monday everyone! This is the start of the busiest week for me - classes, parties and a number of family commitments - so I'll do my best  to keep up with my blogging schedule. Today I'm sharing one of the cards that I'm making with my ladies in my technique class this week - an oval shaped card, using an interesting vellum technique. Here's my card:

I saw this neat technique where you stamp your image on vellum then rub the back of the image with a round ended stylus to 'colour' it in a video tutorial by Deb Valder here. I used Pink Pirouette for my background, then layered the vellum before adding my black border, cut with the largest shaped oval framelit which I paper-pierced around the edge. I needed a sympathy card for my box, so used a sentiment from the 'Bloom With Hope' set, which I cut out with the Banners framelits, and a little bow to soften the card front. I really like the effect of the vellum - it looks slightly 'raised' following the rubbing and adds a feeling of texture to the card. 

I'm looking forward to making this card with my ladies this afternoon and then this evening I'm off to craft with a group of Brownies and then Girl Guides - I'll share these projects later in the week.

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Indescribable Gift Clear Stamp Set	Jet Black Stazon Pad	Big Shot Magnetic Platform	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Occasions Paper-Piercing Pack
Paper-Piercing Tool	Stampin' Pierce Mat	Ovals Collection Framelits Dies	Pink Pirouette 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon	White Vellum A4 Card Stock
Pink Pirouette A4 Card Stock	Basic Black A4 Card Stock

Yay it's Sunday and time for another challenge over at The Paper Players. This week it is the turn of the lovely Anne Marie, who has a light and bright colour challenge combo for us:

Laurie's challenge last week has put me firmly in the mood for spring and these colours immediately got me thinking along similar lines. I decided I would have some fun and create an Easter card with a difference - I made a slider card using the 'For Peep's Sake' Easter stamp set. So lots of photos for you today -here's the first one of the outside:

A Crumb Cake base decorated with eggs and a cute little trio of Easter characters stamped using my Stampin' Write markers on Whisper White and fussy cut out, adhered behind some Wild Wasabi grass cut using my fringe scissors - one of this week's Weekly Deals, in case you're thinking of picking up a pair - then you pull the ribbon top to reveal the 'Eggscellent' Easter message and the little chick: 

Here's a close up of the sentiment:

Followed by a close up of that cute little chick with his own message on the slide out portion above:

Isn't he so cute? This was such a fun card to make and I think looks lovely in this week's colours. So which stamp set will you reach for to create with these colours? Before you reach for your ink pads, do visit the other design team members to see what interesting ideas they've had this week:

I look forward to seeing how you interpret this colour combination in our gallery this week. 

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Wild Wasabi A4 Card Stock	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	For Peeps' Sake Clear Stamp Set	Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad	Crumb Cake A4 Card Stock
Subtles Stampin' Write Markers	2013-2015 In Color Stampin' Write Markers	Crisp Cantaloupe Thick Baker's Twine	Wild Wasabi 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon	So Saffron Classic Stampin' Pad
Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad	Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin' Pad	Fringe Scissors

I've been busy working with my 'Indescribable Gift' stamp set as it is the stamp set that I'll be using in my technique class this month so I decided to use it to create a card for this week's Mojo Monday challenge:

I thought the circle would make a great space for the apple blossom to peek through - take a look:

I used a base of Pink Pirouette and matted it with a piece of the 'Irresistibly Yours' embossed paper - free with an order of £45 or more before the end of March - that I had sponged with Pink Pirouette ink, to add a little interest but not detract from my flower branch. I used Wild Wasabi for the panel and having stamped the blossom onto Whisper White, I coloured it with my Pink Pirouette, Wild Wasabi and Crumb Cake Blendabilities and fussy cut it out. I then positioned it through the aperture and and finally added my sentiment panel across the bottom.

This card was not quick to create - the fussy cutting took a while! - but it was well worth it. I love the finished effect.

Back tomorrow with my card for this week's new Paper Player's challenge. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Indescribable Gift Clear Stamp Set	Irresistibly Yours Specialty Designer Series Paper	Pink Pirouette A4 Card Stock	Wild Wasabi A4 Card Stock	Whisper White A4 Card Stock
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Project Life Corner Punch	Pink Pirouette Classic Stampin' Pad

Aren't you all lucky - this is my second post of the day! I have another card to share with you that I would like to link up with this week's CAS(E) This Sketch challenge and The Color Throwdown:

I love that block-striped welly boot and I thought these colours would be perfect for a masculine birthday card that would totally work with the sketch and my 'Hello You' thinlit dies. Here's my card:

I used Crumb Cake for my base and the 'happy' thinlit, and inset the thinlit into a panel of Real Red and Night of Navy, with Tempting Turquoise centres. I then stamped the 'Birthday To You' on the red panel in Night of Navy. A couple of epoxy stars - love these! - one backed with turquoise, one backed with gold foil, and a Navy candy dot finished off my card. I love this card - I think I'm going to have to make a few more of these!

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Crazy About You Photopolymer Bundle	Itty Bitty Accents Epoxy Stickers	Gold Foil Sheets	Crumb Cake A4 Card Stock	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad
Night Of Navy A4 Card Stock	Real Red A4 Card Stock	Tempting Turquoise A4 Card Stock	Regals Candy Dots

Today in addition to my card I have some exciting news for you! I was recently asked by the lovely Connie and Mary to join their Thursday Challenge Team so it's official - I am officially a Create With Connie and Mary Designer:

As my regular readers know, I often play along with the CCMC challenges, so I'm excited to be sharing my first card as designer with you for this week's new challenge, which is a sketch challenge using the following sketch as inspiration:

I decided with Spring on the way and since we are just about to officially embark on 'wedding season', I would break out my 'Something Borrowed' Designer Series Paper and create my first wedding card this year:

I used Sahara Sand for my card base and overlaid this with a piece of 'Something Borrowed' DSP which I cut at an angle, following the line of the sketch, and covered the join with a piece of Blushing Bride Chevron Ribbon. I punched the circles from Whisper White using a variety of circle punches, one of which I matted on circle of Blushing Bride, and I stamped a variety of stamps from the new 'Your Perfect Day' stamp set in Sahara Sand. I used a Blushing Bride marker to highlight the hearts on one of the circles and on the main circle, I also stamped the wreath shape in Pear Pizzazz around my sentiment in Sahara Sand, then added my Blushing Bride flowers punched out with the Itty Bitty Accents flower punch, finished with a pearl in the centre of each. To finish, I added a bow from Blushing Bride chevron ribbon and finished the centre of this with one of the gorgeous new Something Borrowed Embellishments - this really adds a touch of luxury to the finished card I think. I even stamped a co-ordinating envelope - of all the cards that I send, I like wedding cards to be special.

I hope you like today's card - do pop over to the Create With Connie And Mary website to check out the creations of the other members of the design team. There are a few other new designers joining the team too, so go take a look! we look forward to seeing your creations in the gallery this week.

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

Finally time for today's creative post! I was fortunate enough to be selected as the 'Top Pick' over at the As You See It Challenge last week - thank you ladies! - for this card here. Today I'm entering a card for this week's challenge which is another sketch-based one - you know how I love a good sketch:

I was keen to interpret the ring in the sketch as a wreath in some way and since I had some leftover burlap on my desk from another project that I am currently working on, I knew which direction I wanted to go. My thoughts are definitely on Spring this week - here is my interpretation of the sketch: 

I started with a base of Lost Lagoon then added a piece of All Abloom DSP down the side. I overlapped this with a piece of So Saffron and added a Pistachio Pudding panel across the horizontal, that I pierced around the edge to add interest. To create my spring wreath, I used a few strands of burlap that I stripped from a length and tied it together at three points around the edge to hold everything together. To decorate, I added a few springs of leaves in Mossy Meadow punched from my bird punch, then punched my bird itself in Lost Lagoon. I added an eye with a Basic Grey marker and I punched his wing out of a snippet of All Abloom paper in a different stack design. I added a sentiment banner that I stamped using the Crazy About You' stamp set and to finish a trio of flowers, one in So Saffron with a pearl centre, and two that I stamped in So Saffron on Whisper White with the flower stamp from the 'Something to Say' stamp set and punched out with the co-ordinating Itty Bitty Accents punch.

I love the look and feel of this card - it's so fresh and says that Spring is on the way. I haven't used my bird punch in ages but this little fella looks quite at home sat on his burlap wreath. This would also make a nice Easter or Birthday card, with a change of sentiment.

Back tomorrow with another double-post day and some exciting news too! Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

All Abloom Designer Series Paper Stack	Crazy About You Photopolymer Stamp Set	Bird Punch	Something To Say Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Paper-Piercing Tool
Stampin' Pierce Mat	Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack	Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad	Lost Lagoon A4 Cardstock	Mossy Meadow A4 Cardstock
Card Stock A4 Pistachio Pudding	So Saffron Classic Stampin' Pad	So Saffron A4 Card Stock	Basic Pearls Jewel Accents	1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon

Happy Monday everyone! I am here to start the week with a clean and simple card that I made with a few challenges in mind:

I love the pinks in the Color Throwdown palette this week and having seen many of my blog friends create the cutest 'mini' cards for CASology this week, I just couldn't resist having a go at my own. It is also my card for the 'Less is More' challenge this week, where the theme is 'This makes me happy'. Take a look at my card and I'll explain why:

Aren't that trio of mini flowerpots just the cutest? I used the 'Handpicked From the Garden' framelits that I used on yesterday's card and cut a trio of flowerpots out of kraft cardstock, along with a trio of flower heads, two in Strawberry Slush and one in Pink Pirouette. Before adhering these to the card, I partially inked the vine leaves in Pear Pizzazz and stamped these onto my white base first to give my flowers stems and leaves, before adhering the diecuts over the top. I finished with a simple stamped sentiment of 'Grown With Love' also stamped in Pear Pizzazz and a little bow on my central pot, made from some separated strands of Strawberry Slush thick baker's twine. Here's a little close up of the detail:

I'm not usually one to go for these teeny-tiny diecuts and I bought this set primarily for the plant tag framelits, which as a keen gardener I knew I would get lots of use for, but I'm loving these little diecuts - the set also includes a tiny trowel and a bow, perfect for adding finishing touches to gardening projects. With spring on the way, I am looking forward to be getting out into the garden more. My husband and children are keen vegetable gardeners and don't have much time for flowers, but I love nothing more than pottering around, planting tubs and hanging baskets to decorate the patio through the summer months. These little flowerpots remind me of this and it makes me happy to know that spring is on the way!

I would love to know what makes you happy - please feel free to leave me a comment below to share your thoughts and do pop on over to the LIM gallery to see what's putting everyone else in a good mood this week. Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

From The Garden Photopolymer Bundle	Big Shot Magnetic Platform	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Card Stock A4 Strawberry Slush	Strawberry Slush Thick Baker's Twine
Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Pink Pirouette A4 Card Stock	Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Pad	Kraft 12" X 12" Card Stock

It's Sunday and you know what that means - a new challenge over at The Paper Players. This week the lovely Laurie has a fun theme to help us shake off our Winter blues:

When I 'think Spring' I immediately think of spring pastels and flowers in bloom, so the obvious choice for my card today was one of my favourite pieces of DSP from the All Abloom DSP stack:

I love the pretty little flowers on this particular paper and wanted to showcase as much of the paper as possible. I decided it would make a great background layer for a shaker-style open window featuring some cute little die cut flowerpots that I cut from kraft and co-ordinating coloured cardstock using my Handpicked Framelit Dies. I finished one of the flowerpots with a tiny Blushing Bride baker's twine bow and used one of the Bitty Banner framelits to cut out the sentiment stamped from the 'From The Garden' stamp set and accented this with a couple of Daffodil Delight candy dots.

Before you reach for your ink pads, do visit the other design team members to see what interesting ideas they've had this week:

I look forward to seeing your visions of Springtime in our gallery this week. 

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

All Abloom Designer Series Paper Stack	From The Garden Photopolymer Bundle	Bitty Banners Framelits Die	Big Shot Magnetic Platform	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine
Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad	Mossy Meadow A4 Cardstock	Daffodil Delight A4 Card Stock	Card Stock A4 Pistachio Pudding	Brights Candy Dots
Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Card Stock A4 Strawberry Slush	Card Stock A4 Blushing Bride	Kraft 12" X 12" Card Stock	Blushing Bride Baker's Twine