Thursday, August 07, 2014

Pretty in pink

Hi everyone.

I thought I would share something a little bit different today.

I recently got asked to make a commission piece ........... a mobile for a baby's cot.  The brief was pink and butterflies.

Ok ........... now I knew just the papers I wanted to use ........ they are from my other stash ... not Stampin Up and I knew they would look divine.

So firstly I made the circle rings for the top.  Three sets of them.

Then I set about cutting the butterflies ........... I of course used a butterfly die, this one just happens to be a recently retired SU one.   I can assure you its one that I am not getting rid off.

So do you want to see.

The top

It hanging ....... a full shot

 Close up of all the layers

An even closer shot

 and again.

It was so pretty, and I am really pleased to say my client loved it.  

I have done one of these previously in Stampin Up Brights.  It was really pretty.  If you would like to see, click here.


Although this die is retired you could use lots of the other lovely punches and dies we sell to make this gorgeous mobile.

If you would like to order one and you live in the uk why not give me a call or email me to place your order.  They cost £20 plus P&P

Have a great day.

Hugs

Hip Hip for thanks yous and so much more

Hi, 

Are you sometimes overwhelmed by the sheer volume of lovely products that Stampin Up! products?

 Do you sometimes flick through the catalogue in awe of what you see?

Do you sometimes need something that is really quick and easy?

Do you kids like to craft, and do you want to be able to craft with them?


YES
YES
YES

Ok, so I have the answer to all these conundrums.  

KITS

There are lots of lovely kits available but one of my personal favourites is the 

HIP HIP HOORAY KIT


Don't they look lovely.

Well I know lots of Mums that have purchased these over the last six months to make thank you cards, birthday cards and lovely notelets with their kids.

So just to show you how easy it is I got to work.

Following took me 30 minutes and I have lots of Thank you notes ready to go


Everything you need is in the bag


Card bases and matching envelopes - enough to do 20 cards


toppers, embelishments,


twine, paperclips and so much more


and an instruction sheet so you can get the most out of your kit, even if you are new to crafting.

Oh, and I nearly forgot - there are three stamps and a clear stamp block and a matching ink pad.

So really you have everything you need.  You don't need glue at all.  Everything is in the bag.

I have made 10 of the 20 cards and I have saved the rest of the kit to show you how to turn it into something else entirely.






And at 17.95 its an absolute bargain.  You get to have fun with the kids, they get to have fun and craft with you and you get a great set of cards costing you less than 90p each.  Amazing value ....... and your friends and family are sure to be impressed when they receive a gorgeous handmade card.


Wednesday, August 06, 2014

One Card, three techniques ......

Hi everyone

In todays post


  • One card, three techniques

Do you remember the lovely Zentangle technique which I shared with you earlier in the week?   
(If you missed it you can click above and you will be taken to the post)

I loved the doodling on this technique but wanted to add a bit more ........ so how about some paper tearing, and some heat embossing.  Yep all three on one card.

The card base for this one is an A5 base which is very popular in the UK.

I have used the lovely blended Bloom Stamp set. 


Firstly I stamped the image in versamark and then heat embossed with clear power.

Then I stamped the image on very vanilla and got down to some doodling,


love the way the flower came out.  It had to be fuzzy cut, as there is no punch for this one.


next I stamped the image on very vanilla several times on only coloured in tiny bits.


Before tearing the card stock to the shape I really wanted.

I finished off the inside with the stamp again in Momento ink.

The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Sentiments and is stamped onto the small oval and layered onto the large oval punch.  I have edged the layers with my Stamp N Write Marker in basic black.

To finish I added three of the flowers from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack 2014 which have been sponged in basic black and then finished with pearls in the centre.

Have a great day and I hope you find some time to get creative.  Don't forget I would love to see what you make, so why not leave a comment in the box with a link to your projects inspired by this.


Hugs



Tuesday, August 05, 2014

Childhood memories ............ such lovely toys

Hi everyone from a very wet Somerset.  

In todays post

  • Boys will be Boys - Childhood memories
  • Big Shot Video and Offer
  • American Convention Highlights - would you like to go to the European convention?


Boys will be Boys


The dogs and I have been out and got very very wet, but it was quite refreshing and the fields around us really needed it.  But hey, can we please have the sunshine back.  It makes everything seem brighter.

Thanks to those of you who visited my post yesterday.  I am sorry it was so somber, but I felt it important to remember the occasion.  

When I got my annual catalogue, there were a few stamp sets that jumped up and said Buy me, buy me ......... for many different reasons.  Some business and some personal.  This set screamed at me because it bought back lots and lots of happy memories.  Not only from my childhood, but also from my kids little days.  

Why, well all the lovely toys featured are so darling, but above all many of them were what I had or my kids had.

There are five toy stamps in the box and two sentiments, but its the toys I loved 


All five 3 x 3" cards coloured with blend abilities and them mounted


Who didn't have building blocks.  I used to build them and my brother would race his trucks into them to knock them down.


Lego, I can still hear the sound of it being moved around in our lego box, trying to find that elusive bit at the bottom of the box, and remember the feel of it when you trod on it.


Do you remember these army men complete with parachute.  You wrapped the chute around them, and chucked them up in the air, and they floated down.  Happy days.


Yoyo, hmm, I could only do the basics, but my little boy Tom, can make bag shapes, walk the dog and do many more tricks.


And this little guy, well whats not to love.  He reminded me of Metal Mickey, a tv programme I watched as kid.

So many happy memories with this set, and I know that it will also inspire these memories in the people the cards etc are sent to.  What a lovely set to inspire so many lovely feelings.

Each of the images was coloured with Blendabilities.  Then mounted onto Daffodil delight and then Coastal Cabana card bases.  

I loved making these and had a smile on my face the whole time.  Id love to know which sets have made you smile and why.  Please share in the comments below.  If you link to your blog, I will pop over and have a look.


I now every other demonstrator is shouting about this.  I know that you're all probably thinking oh please shut up about the offer, so I thought I would show you today, why you need the big shot and these amazing bundles.



This lovely clip shows you all the uses for the big shot and tells you all the different things you can cut with it.



These lovely little guys change tonight at 11.30 so if any of these are making their way into your heart and you want a bargain grab it now.




Don't forget you can get everything used today in my shop.  Just click below

shop now








Monday, August 04, 2014

Blooming with Hope ....... a hundred years on

Morning everyone.  I hope that today finds you all well and safe.

In today's post:

  • Bloom with hope meets Blendabilities


Its lovely here today in Somerset.  The sun is shining and life is quite tranquil, yes the kids are still in bed, so its quiet and peaceful.  The dogs have been walked and I've done some washing. 

You know all those little jobs and things that make our lives what they are.  Many of us don't stop to think that that's exactly how it was over 100 years ago.  Life was just life, and you did the things you did on a day to day basis.  It wasn't all good, as history has taught us, but never did people envision the horrors that would await them, or the losses their families would endure, as war was declared at 11pm bst on 4th August 1814.  Its very sobering to watch the TV coverage of the remembrance services for those who fell, both British and world wide.  So sad, and yet even today there are conflicts happening all over the world.  Its really made me stop and think about how lucky I am.


One of the exclusive Hostess Sets from Stampin UP!  is called Blooming with Hope, its title sums up how we all are as youngsters, blooming and alive and full of hope.  I chose these lovely flowers from the set because they are so pretty, but to be honest it was the stamp set name that drew me in....... 

I wanted to make the card cheerful so chose the lovely Pumpkin Pie and Daffodil delight cardstock and matching Blendabilities.

Each flower was stamped in Momento ink

And then coloured and blended to create shadows and shading

giving depth and movement to these gorgeous flowers


Finally the centre panel was mounted on the coloured card stock.
Gorgeous.

To finish I of course stamped inside the card as well.


Please don't forget to click on the Special Offers to find the wonderful 





or this weeks Weekly Deals.



Thanks again for stopping by.  
shop now




Sunday, August 03, 2014

A bit of Zen and Stampin up makes a great day .......

Hi everyone.  

Firstly can I sincerely thank each and every one of you who regularly pop by my blog.  Your continued support means so much.  

In today's post


  •      A bit of Zentangle
  •      Weekly Deals
  •      Big hopes for the big shot .....


I love Bloglovin ......  It's great and everyday it just pops up on my emails .... I get to see what everyone is doing, get to read about my favourite crafters and see their amazing creations.  

I noticed not long after the American convention that several cards were done with what has been termed the Zentangle effect ........  I was intrigued, it looked just like the doodling I used to do on my study books.  I mean if it had paper and I had a colouring or graphite pencil, or a pen then it was fair game.  It was gonna get doodled on. 

So this Zentangle intrigued me.  I learnt that Patty Bennett had done a class on it.  (Sucks to be this side of the pond sometimes!). I wasn't there so have studied the effects others have created.  My interpretation is that you stamp your image and then doodle on it.  I have done the lines top and bottom of the petals and leaves, but you can do whatever takes your fancy.  

So fully inspired, armed with my stamp, two stamp'n'write markers, ink pads and card stock I got to work. My chosen colours, strawberry slush, pink pirouette and very vanilla.  



The stamp sets used are Tape It and Blended Bloom

I had to fussy cut both layers of this gorgeous flower.  The leaves were punched using the bird builder punch, and we're finished off with the itty bitty punch pack flowers.  A candy dot in the middle makes each one pop.  


Matted and layered onto co-ordinations card stock and then stamped inside tone on tone to finish,

Gorgeous.  What do you think...... I've already got dome other stamps in mind to try this with.

WEEKLY DEALS

These are still amazing value for money and the products change each week.  This week there is the oh so cute cupcake builder punch. Some great framelits and lots more



BIG HOPES FOR THE BIGSHOT

Just a gentle reminder, not to miss out on the 15% discount on each bundle in the special 5 bundles.  The offer ends at the end of August.  It would be a shame not to add these 5 stamp and die bundles to your collection, especially at that price.

Talking of price, how about the opportunity to save up to £47.50.  Yep if you buy the BIGSHOT this month you can choose one of these bundles free.  What are you waiting for ..... This is too good to miss.  




I am entering my card into the following challenges. 

Sunday Stamps - Its Pink ssc81

Retro Sketches - Challenge 126