Thursday 30 November 2017

Something else new to share... Petal Palette

Just sharing happy post with something special for me again today... 

Another card made for me using a gorgeous new product, Petal Palette from the 2018 Spring Summer Catalogue... thank you so much Julie (one of my lovely Stampin' Up! sisters) ... such a beautiful card... 

This was also made to celebrate the special milestone of mine... though I think it is easier to spot today than on yesterday's celebratory eclipse card... 
For the first time  in Europe... Stampin' Up! published The Top 50 Demonstrators in the UK for the last year... and I was featured! At no. 31...

To say I was surprised to be in the Top 50 - and amazed at no. 31 - and so proud - is an understatement... particularly as last year was not exactly my best Stampin' Up! year to date... lots of other things decided to get in my way! All year! So a real WOW for me...

Wednesday 29 November 2017

Something new to share.... Bird Banter...

Something special for me today... 

A card made for me using Stampin' Blends, the Eclipse technique that is all the rage...  and a sneak peek of a new product, Bird Banter from the 2018 Spring Summer Catalogue... thank you so much Julie (my Stampin' Up! upline) ... lovely colourful card... 
This was made to celebrate a special milestone of mine... can you spot it!?... more on that tomorrow... 

Tuesday 28 November 2017

Hello Friend Christmas Wreath Note Card

Well I was busy making something else with my Very Vanilla notecards and Hello Friend stamps... and just had to make this gold embossed christmas version using the greeting and holly berries from Hang Your Stocking...
Simple and sweet... and quick with the use of the Very Vanilla notecards.... back with the other makes and more details another day!



Monday 27 November 2017

Update on a Winter Wonder simple classic...

Gosh thought I had shared this ages ago... but apparently not...

When I first shared this Super CAS Winter Wonder embossed card here... I admitted that I would have preferred an additional greeting... but that some of my ladies are rather nervous with direct stamping & heat embossing! So I didn't add anything at the time...
So this was the updated version for the rest of my classes... just the...

All other details as provided here... 

And still loving my Winter Wonder embossing folder for a simple but WOW effect on a card.. this one will be a keeper for sure...


Sunday 26 November 2017

Free Delivery for 24 hours...


So delighted to say these words!! Free shipping for 24 hours... This is a first for us in Europe… 

All orders placed between 11pm tonight, Sunday 26 November and tomorrow, Monday 27 November 10.59pm GMT will be delivered free* by UPS to your door 4-8 days later… No minimum order value applies…

Live in the UK? Just place an order for any value by visiting my Online Store here… 


And do remember to enter my November Stampin Rewards Host Code 392YRRXW where prompted to count towards my free class offers** if local OR a free gift - and/or the new catalogue(s) in December in the post from me…

* Postage & Packaging usually £4.95
** Free Craft Spa class offers from £35 Stampin' Up! orders... eg £10 class free with £35 order, £15 class free with £55 order; £25 class free with £80 order

Memories & More Merry Little Christmas Gift Card Holder

So when I made these using Petal Garden and the Striped Treat Bags... I decided that they would make for a great quick wrapping idea for all the gift cards I send this year... but using the Merry Little Christmas Memories & More Card pack instead... further details in the earlier post...

So more to follow using other cards in the pack... but I thought I would share the first as no doubt it will be very last minute when I get to do the others...
And before I leave... remember that Free Shipping on ALL orders starts at 11pm tonight, Sun 26 November GMT for us in the UK... any order value... direct ship by UPS to your door within 4-8 days... Ends Monday 27 November 10.59pm...
Click here for my Online Store... and don't forget to enter this month's Stampin Rewards Host Code 392YRRXW for a free gift and the new mini catalogue(s) from me to arrive in December...
Or a few hours left if you still have your eye on a reduced item in the Online Extravaganza Sale... ends 10.59pm GMT tonight! But do bear in mind that if the overall saving is less than £4.95... you would be better to wait a minute for Free Shipping from 11pm...

Saturday 25 November 2017

Lovely as a Tree simple snowy scene & Free delivery anyone?

And here is the other super CAS card sample I made whilst plotting out my Narnia card shared yesterday... and as I have been asked a few times so nicely... here is what you need for this super CAS (clean & simple) version...

But before I start... newsflash... Free shipping for 24 hours on all Stampin Up! orders ... starts  Sun 26 November 11:00 p.m. ...ends Mon 27 November 10:59 p.m. (GMT). Not near a PC or anything then?... let me know and I can place a direct ship order for you...
And also don't forget that there is only 2 days left of the Extravaganza Sale... ends Sunday 26 November 10.59pm GMT
Click here to go straight to my Online Store to quickly see pictures/prices of the items on offer until ... 10-40% off ... what have you go to lose! Apart from paying for P&P...Click here to check out all the details... or here to check out my Top Picks... though I did miss the Cable Knit embossing folder!!!

Oh and don't forget if ordering over the next few days... this month's Host Code is 392YRRXW for an extra gift (and the new Spring Summer & Sale A Bration catalogues!) from me in December... 

So back to the card today...

Craft Spa Recipe
A6 Tent Card Blank (ie 10.5cm x A4L scored LANDSCAPE at 14.8cm) (US 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" H Card Blank)
Basic Black 6.8 x 11.1cm H (US 2 3/4" x 4" H)
Papers (Christmas Around the World) 6.5 x 10.8cm H (US 2 5/8" x 3 7/8"H)
Clear Glimmer 6.5 x 2.5cm (US 2 5/8" x 1" H) (TIP cut starting from half way up on one side and create a curved snow bank as you go across & back to the centre on the other side... then you have 2 pieces of snow for 2 cards... one a valley and one a peak!)
Lantern parts - as detailed here 
Stamping of trees - as detailed there too...

And here are the 2 CAS versions side by side... Which do you prefer?? And spot the snow bank duo!
Lamppost one shared here... 
And the larger... bring it all together on the one card to impress more... shared here yesterday with its tutorial...

And if you are local... remember that it these are one of my Ronald McDonald House Charities Christmas Cheer Challenge event card designs...
Events running next week, Friday 1st and Sunday 3rd December... click here to find out more details and how you can help making cards for others if you are free...

Friday 24 November 2017

What's in Your Wardrobe....? And the Tutorial...

But first...  a belated Happy Thanksgiving to my US readers... I hope that you had a lovely day with family & friends... and are now enjoying the madness of Black Friday!

So back to my wardrobe... though I think that my regular blog readers will already know this year's answer!
For me... it has to be a Narnia-esque scene from the The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe... a favourite book of mine when I was young... and this was my first thought when I spotted the Christmas Lamppost dies in the Autumn Winter catalogue... and so glad it was... as it has been the class favourite this year...
And so glad it all came together in this way... just a shame that I hadn't photographed the wardrobe shot when I first shared the alternative Narnia scene... it kind of spoilt the overall plot!! Just click here for that variant using Card Front Builder dies instead of the embossed white trees...

And  I do so wish that I could share the glittery sparkle on this card better ... as that is what really sets this all off to Narnia perfection!!

Want to make one for yourself ... well here you go! And apologies for the laughing heard around these parts for one of the later steps in the how to make a more Narnia-esque lamp!
Craft Spa recipe
Thick Whisper White A4L x 16.5cm H (US Letter 11" x 6 1/2")
Paper 28.1 x 12cm H (US 10 1/4" x 4 3/4")
Lamppost - Basic Black card 2.5 x 14.8cm (US 1" x 5 1/2")
Lamp Glass - Vellum 2 x 4cm (US 3/4" x 1 1/2")
Doors - Thick Whisper White x A5 (ie 14.8 x 21cm)(US 5 1/2" x 8 1/2")

Stamps - Lovely as a Tree; Snowflake Sentiments
Dies - Christmas Lamppost; Hearth & Home; Seasonal Layers
Paper - Christmas Around the World
Punch - 1 1/2" Circle Punch
Dazzling Diamonds Glitter & Glimmer Paper
Wink of Stella Clear
Stampin' Blends marker - dark Daffodil Delight

Craft Spa directions

Making your card
1. Large A4L (US 11 x 6 1/2") Whisper White panel LANDSCAPE
2. Score at 7.4cm from both sides (US 2 3/4")
3. Valley bone fold both score lines

Decorating the little scene
4. Mark bottom of paper at 6.9cm & 21.2 cm (US 2 1/2" & 7 3/4")
5. Ink up & stamp tallest Tranquil Tide trees up from those marks
TIPS
(a) avoid stamping the ground level part of the image onto the paper
(b) "second stamp" a smaller tree to the side whilst you are it... ie stamp a second smaller tree without re-inking the stamp... so that you get a faded tree in the background
(c) Always Artichoke inked trees also looks nice... hence the sample card shared here yesterday...

6. Continue stamping and second stamping green trees as desired...
7. Swoosh with your embossing buddy
8. Ink up & stamp Versamark trees and white emboss...
9. Add glue & liberally cover with Dazzling Diamonds glitter
10. Leave paper panel to dry for a while! Otherwise you will have very gluey/glittery fingers, card and worktop!!!!

Making the Doors
11. Die cut 4 x Heart & Home windows
12. Make into doors as shown here...
13. Die cut a Seasonal Layers large snowflake in Foil (Champagne Foil used here) and pull the small circles out from the waste to add as door knobs... I just use a really really tiny drop of Tombow and add the circle on top...

 Making a more Narnia-esque lamp
14. Colour vellum with dark Daffodil Delight and die cut (that's the 3 plant pot flat looking die!!)
15. Die cut other Basic Black Lamppost parts... hopefully this picture will paint a 1000 words... for the bits to cut... and the next few assembly steps (16-22)...
16. Colour your yellow lamp glass with clear Wink of Stella to add that shine..,.
17. Apply glue very sparingly to back of black lamp and pop onto the lamp glass
18. Tiny dab of glue onto the centre of the 3 prong twirly/ partial bit and stick lamp on top
19. Trim off the 2 side arms at bottom of base
20. Tiny dab of glue onto top of lamppost & stick lamp on top
21. Tinier dab of glue about 1cm (US 3/8") down the lamppost & stick cross-member on top
22. Crop the cross-member to the left (LOL!!! Maybe I should say cross-piece... nah... leaving it so some of you can have a laugh too... ! Though I did change the word trim to crop and put the cross- back in the member...!!! So glad this is not in video format... )

Finishing off
23.. Cut Landscape paper panel down to 6.9 cm and 14.3 cm (aka 6.9cm from either side) (US 2 1/2" & 7 3/4" - aka 2 1/2" from each side)
24. Adhere to inside of card
25. Ink up & stamp Black greetings
26. Adhere punched Glimmer circle & Lamppost...

Thursday 23 November 2017

Lovely as a Tree & Christmas Lamppost card

So as I was making my larger fold out Christmas Lampost & Around the World papers Narnia-scene gate fold card that I shared here last week ... I trialled a couple of different ideas on standard A6 cards...

And this card design has been so popular that it is going to be one of my Ronald McDonald House Charities Christmas Cheer Challenge event card designs...
Events running next week, Friday 1st and Sunday 3rd December... click here to find out more details and how you can help making cards for others if you are local and free...
This one just uses Always Artichoke ink instead of Tranquil Tide for the Lovely as A Tree fir trees...

Greetings from Snowflake Sentiments... all doused with a lot of Dazzling Diamonds glitter and a Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer moon and snow...

Edited to Add - recipe shared here on 25 November.... 

Wednesday 22 November 2017

Curled Paper Chocolate Topiary

You have no idea how many years this project has been in my head... but has never made it to to the drawing board so to speak...

But this year was the time... and after some lengthy sourcing escapades for the non Stampin' Up! parts... and a disaster or two along the way... it finally all came together... a lovely centrepiece for the christmas table....

Though photographing it was SO hard... and really really does not do it justice!
So this is one of my special Christmas class projects for this year... coming to you at a Craft Spa Class through December... a Merry Little Christmas curly paper Topiary sweet tree... add Ferrero Rocher or Lindor balls... both work as well! Half Day Class... just £25 including 16 treat balls... or come for a Full Day £45 and make the Christmas Lantern too...

And I am so happy with this project... as I know a few people that are really going to LOVE my handmade christmas gift this year.... just hope they are not sneaking a peek here today!!!
Stampin Up! Products Used
Merry Little Christmas papers
Black & White 7/8" Striped Ribbon
Washi Tape Basics Pack 2
Green Sprigs
Year of Cheer Embellishments
Jute Twine

Tuesday 21 November 2017

On Stage Wrapped Gift

 
So I was at On Stage Local in Solihull the other weekend... and had a blast with Stampin' Up! & fellow demonstrator friends old and new...

So ... a little share today for my Tuesday Tips.... of a simple way to gift wrap when you have a gift for a friend... but just a minute left before you need to leave the house!!

Grab a plain white bag... know you have lots of those somewhere... (if not I have a lot but with flat handles!) and a couple of pieces of paper from a 6" Square paper stack... Petal Garden used here...
Trim a piece of Old Olive card to 6 1/4" W x 7 1/2" H... and one piece of paper to 6" W x 2"H

Adhere all parts and trim the gap with Washi Tape - Basics Pack 1 in the pinks used here. Add a quick Thankful Thoughts stamped and a little stamped & Bunch of Banners die cut Soft Sayings card kit greeting - or two... and a few Rhinestones to finish...

Pop your gift in the bag... and tie a 1/4" Stitched Edge ribbon around the handles to close & seal...

And off you can go....
A deserving apron gift (and with such appropriate wording!) for a demo friend that continually inspires me and most of our team... thanks again Julie...


Sunday 19 November 2017

The Online Extravaganza is now live...

The Online Extravaganza Sale with exclusive deals and 10-40% discounts on many current catalogue items is now live... Running until next Sunday 26th November 22.59pm...  
Click here to visit my Online Store to see all the items on this promotion... 
And/or click here to see my earlier round-up of some deals of particular interest...
And there's more...
In addition... for the first 24 hours... further select stamp sets will have 20% off.  A great opportunity to stock up on amazing stamps! Ends Mon 20 November 22:59pm.
And then there is even more...
To close out the Extravaganza with an extra buzz, there will be a further special 24-hour flash sale on further products from Sunday 26th November 11pm to Monday 27th November 10.59pm... Though do note that the other general Extravaganza deals will end before this starts!

Edited to Add:- in response to a recent question... these Sale prices apply to a Demo Starter Kit order too ... as long as submitted in the relevant time period... so if you have been thinking about joining us for your own Stampin' Up! journey... it could be a good time to click here and sign up now...

For my online customers...remember to enter this month's Host Code 392YRRXW where prompted  for a gift from me for orders under £150...
For my local customers who can collect... I will be placing an Extravaganza order on Monday 20th November at 9pm... 
Postage just £2 per person. Note that payment and orders (including item codes) must be received before I can process your order... And that my normal offers will still apply (eg product orders for free classes etc)  
I then plan to place another order during the last 24 hour Flash Sale, Mon 27th November at 9pm. 

My Spots for the On Line Extravaganza starting tonight at 11pm


Just thought I would pop on with some of my favourites spots on the Extravaganza Sale list due to start 11pm tonight...

Click here for the full list and details... though the easiest way to view all the items on offer is to come back at 11pm tonight when I post the link to the full list on my Online Store...

And for my local ladies that can easily collect... remember that I am ordering Mon 20th November at 9pm....

But in the meantime... here goes... not in any particular order after the first few!...

At Home With You stamps & At Home Framelit dies
At Home with You Photopolymer Bundle
Definitely a very firm favourite of mine... much used...  just put At Home in the Search box to the RHS to see how much! And particularly useful for dressing your Bench Fold cards...

Both stamps & dies available for £40.40 total saving you a further 10% on the £45 Bundled price. Really excited you can get these at discount...

In Color Stampin Write Markers 10% off
2017-2019 In Color Stampin' Write Markers
Delighted to see these on here for you... relatively cheap way to get all the new in colors in one hit!

Big Shot Platform 20% off
Big Shot Platform
Can't believe how much easier I find this newly formatted platform and plate... I can even cut precision dies without the precision plate using this!! ( though usually with the help of a shim or two)

Big Shot die brush 20% off
Just couldn't be without it! Who needs poking out everything in their life!! Not me!

Hearth & Home dies 30% off
Hearth & Home Thinlits Dies
Best die ever! You could even have two like me! Best investment I ever made... 

Number of Years 20% off. 20th November only
Number Of Years Photopolymer Stamp Set
Can't believe this is on here! Brilliant and very versatile stamp set... and not just for the numbers... though be warned that you will then want the Large Numbers dies if you buy this!

Milestone Moments 20% off. 20th November only
Milestone Moments Photopolymer Stamp Set
Definitely a keeper...

Touches of Texture 20% off. 20th November only
Touches Of Texture Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Oh so useful... and so creative... must use this set most weeks... available discounted in both clear and wood...

Brights 12x12 Cardstock Pack 30% off
Brights Best 12" x 12" Cardstock Pack
Stock up on some 12x12 in 3 colours that can be used all year round whilst you can get such a great reduction... Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight & Real Red

Detailed Dragonfly dies 10% off
Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies
Again much used... Very popular dies around here... can be used with or without the Dragonfly Dreams stamp set...

Super Duper 20% off. 20th November only
Super Duper Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Know this one was very popular when we used it in classes... so believe it is still on a few Wish Lists

Cool Treats & Frozen Treats Framelits dies... 20% off ( Cool Treats stamps 20th November only)
Cool Treats Photopolymer Stamp Set
Frozen Treats Framelits Dies
Fresh & Funky and for the young at heart ( or ice cream fanatics!)
Know a lot of you had these on your Wish List... you know you still want them really... now's your chance!

Santa's Sleigh Framelit dies 10% off
Santa's Sleigh Dies Thinlits
Again you can let the dies do all the work... or buy the co-ordinating Santa's Sleigh stamp set too... one of the most popular sets to use last year...

Window Box Thinlits dies
Window Box Thinlits Dies
Know a lot of you desire these... lovely little hexagon box with lots of decorative options... in a snap...

And a few others that I know some of my regulars have had on their Wish List for a while... so here you go ladies! With less blurb from me...

Remarkable You. 20% off. 20th November only
Remarkable You Wood-Mount Stamp Set

Bloomin Love 20% off. 20th November only
Bloomin' Love Photopolymer Stamp Set

And a few discounted punches that can be used with or without the co-ordinating stamp set... Bell, Holly Builder, Blossom Builder... 
Bell Punch Holly Berry Builder PunchBlossom Builder Punch