Tuesday 29 May 2018

Painted Harvest - Team Challenge

Hello, a little while ago I saw a design challenge on the team page of the group of demonstrators I belong to. We had to come up with a card, taking inspiration from normal everyday objects. At the time I couldn't think of anything... then one evening as I was getting ready for bed, I spotted a Laura Ashley carrier bag. Now I use this bag to throw my project failures - yes I do have them! - and paper/card trimmings ready for the recycling bin. How could I have missed this inspiration; I see the bag every day.


I decided that Painted Harvest was the closest match to the flowers and so used Pink Pirouette and Melon Mambo with Pear Pizzazz for the leaves.


I randomly stamped the flowers and leaves, ensuring I stamped off the page for a natural look. As these are 2 step stamps I stamped first with the lighter colour, using the smaller stamp in the darker colour. I could have stamped off first, to get a lighter colour for the larger stamp, which isAny spaces left were filled in with the orange dots.


Leaves were stamped onto scrap paper and punched out to add next to the sentiment which was stamped onto a Whisper White punched Everyday Label. For a little more interest, I punched out a Pretty Label in Melon Mambo and cut it in half, arranging it to show behind the sentiment.


I hope you like my interpretation, it just goes to show that inspiration can be all around us in all sorts of objects.

Bev🎕

Thank you for viewing my blog today. I'd be very happy to be your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator if you don't already have one. If you would like a copy of the current catalogue, I can arrange for you to receive one if you contact me.

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Saturday 26 May 2018

Bloomin' Love

Hello again, this time last year I was frantically trying to finish wedding stationery for a lovely couple, Jack and Chantelle. I didn't realise I was making the table plans for them as well - eek. I don't often create for weddings but I used to work with Chantelle and she's so lovely that I just couldn't refuse.

Anyway, one year on and it's time to make their first anniversary card. Now I know I need to use Pool Party as it's the closest colour to fit their living room scheme; my gorgeous friend is very much into coordination! Sadly it's one of the colours that are on the retiring list. There are some fabulous new colours coming out so more about that another time.


It was the first time I'd used Bloomin' Love and the coordinating dies, shame on me. I have a feeling this set will become a firm favourite for engagement, wedding and anniversary cards in the future though.

Once again, I went back to my roots with a classic white on white card with a hint of colour. I die cut the heart out of the top layer card and placed it back into the space after removing the cut outs so that the colour behind showed through.


Using card scraps I stamped, coloured and die cut the larger flowers. The smaller ones were just die cut from Dazzling Diamond card stock. I fussy cut a banner to go across the heart and added Jack and Chantelle's initials.


As there were a few Swarovski rhinestones left over from making the wedding stationery, I added one to each of the flowers.


It was while I was making this card that I realised I needed to make a wedding card for another friend who got married the week after.


Since I still had the stamps and dies out, I set to and made a second card. This time I chose to use Very Vanilla with Sweet Sugarplum. Instead of rhinestones, I used pearls too.


I hope the recipients will like receiving these cards just as much as I did making them.

Bev🎕

Thank you for viewing my blog today. I'd be very happy to be your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator if you don't already have one. If you would like a copy of the current catalogue, I can arrange for you to receive one if you contact me.

If you'd like to place an order for any current items, please click on the "Shop With Me 24/7" button near the top of the page or alternately, click on the product links below.




Tuesday 22 May 2018

Rose Wonder

Hello, ever since I discovered Stampin Up! I knew I needed the Rose Wonder and coordinating dies. Just don't ask me why it's taken so long to get then. I was looking for a quick project for a colleagues birthday when I suddenly remembered I hadn't even opened this set.


I started by stamping my image onto Shimmery White cardstock using Basic Grey ink. I haven't used the Watercolour pencils in while, luckily I knew exactly where they were. Using just 3 colours, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive, I coloured in the image, using a blender pen to move the colour around until I was happy with the effect.


I then took a piece of Whisper White card and die cut the corresponding image. It's rather satisfying poking out the small pieces that aren't required. You need to keep both the die cut and the outer card.


I found it easier to stick the die cut down first; I used liquid glue. The die cut covers the stamp lines.


Once in place I added glue to the out part of the card as it gives a little "wiggle" time for accurate placement.


A sentiment was stamped directly onto the card. A few rhinestones - one strategically placed to cover a smudge - were added alongside a fussy cut bee. It's difficult to see, but I used vellum for the wigs and once the ink had dried, brushed over them with clear Wink Of Stella.


Bev🎕

Thank you for viewing my blog today. I'd be very happy to be your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator if you don't already have one. If you would like a copy of the current catalogue, I can arrange for you to receive one if you contact me.

If you'd like to place an order for any current items, please click on the "Shop With Me 24/7" button near the top of the page or alternately, click on the product links below.




Saturday 19 May 2018

Wetlands

Hello again, it's a bright, sunny May Bank Holiday and instead of enjoying the gorgeous sunshine, I'm feeling compelled to create another card! How's that for dedication... I managed to get hold of Wetlands as a preloved stamp set not long after it had retired; it's great for masculine cards.


I had seen a very simple yet pretty card on one of the groups I'm in. I'm really sorry but I can't remember who created it. Normally I try to give credit for my inspiration so if it was you, please get in touch. Luckily this isn't a direct copy.

I started with a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock and scored it down the middle making sure that the 2 stamps I was using would fit. I don't often heat emboss, I'm never sure why, as I like the effect it creates. I used Versamark to stamp both the sentiment from Colorful Seasons and rushes before using white emboss powder. I confess it isn't a Stampin' Up! one; I've had it for ages.


As the embossing powder isn't a pure white I used Very Vanilla to add a border to my stamped images. To contrast I added a small piece of Copper ribbon, held in place with a pearl...


...and a birthday sentiment embossed directly onto the base card with Copper embossing powder.



To complete this card I added 3 small pearls on the bottom right which helps to balance it. I hope you like it. As usual I decorated the envelope and the inside of the card for a cohesive look.


Bev🎕

Thank you for viewing my blog today. I'd be very happy to be your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator if you don't already have one. If you would like a copy of the current catalogue, I can arrange for you to receive one if you contact me.

If you'd like to place an order for any current items, please click on the "Shop With Me 24/7" button near the top of the page or alternately, click on the product links below.




Tuesday 15 May 2018

A bagful of Tranquil Tulips

Hello again. if you're familiar with my previous blog Emmybear Necessities, you'll already know that I just love making 3"x3" cards with either a storage box or bag. They are such fun and make great little gifts.


So, a while after my last Coffee and Card session with Susan of Craftyduckdoodah, I finally made another set, based on her Tranquil Tulip Note Card design. I really must thank Susan for such a great design.

While I could make make my own base cards and envelopes, I chose to use some from Papermania. They can be difficult to find in the UK, particularly the white ones, however I had a pack of cream left, hence a relatively Autumnal palette.


This set has some 2 step stamping to get the definition of the petals. I stamped one of the smaller tulips in each colour on some scrap paper. Once they were cut out I put them to one side.


Next I cut the 3rd largest circle from the Stitched Shape Framelit dies before stamping my design on each one. I used one of the fussy cut flowers to give me an idea where to put the central stem. I started with the 2 outer tulips, then the stems and finally filled in the gaps with leaves, starting with the larger one, getting smaller. I didn't use a stamping press as I wanted each card to look very slightly different.


I stamped my curved sentiment from the Eastern Beauty set directly onto the base card. To ensure it was in the right place, I'd marked in pencil where my circle was going to be placed.


Once the sentiment had been stamped, I erased the pencil mark. Using dimensionals to raise them slightly, the circles were then stuck onto the base card.


Again, I used a dimensional to stick the final fussy cut tulip onto the card.


 As these are such small cards, I chose not to stamp the image on the inside although the envelopes were decorated on the back.


Having made the cards, I really wasn't sure whether to make a box or handbag to store them in. I had some great suggestions from people on various craft groups I belong to but in the end, I decided to make a bag I'd seen online, created by Sam from Mixed Up Craft. I did, however, change the size of DSP, which meant my score lines had to be altered.

My paper size is 10 ½” x10 ½”
Score at 3½” and 7" on 2 sides


There will be 9 squares, fold and burnish the scorelines. Score diagonally across on the 4 corner squares.


Fold and burnish the diagonal line and then glue and stick carefully, ensuring the edges match.


Repeat on all 4 corners.


Decide which will be the front and back and fold the flaps over and glue into place.


As well as being a design feature it also helps to strengthen the bag.


I added handles and a strap for fastening in a contrasting colour. I used neodymium magnets to close the bag. They are very brittle so can shatter easily, therefore care must be taken when using them. If you prefer, Velcro stick on coins could be used instead.


The strap was decorated with flowers and leaves that had been stamped on scrap card stock and fussy cut. 


Bev🎕

Thank you for viewing my blog today. I'd be very happy to be your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator if you don't already have one. If you would like a copy of the current catalogue, I can arrange for you to receive one if you contact me.

If you'd like to place an order for any current items, please click on the "Shop With Me 24/7" button near the top of the page or alternately, click on the product links below.




Saturday 12 May 2018

The Sky is the Limit

Hello, I'm hoping you'll indulge me today as I use a stamp set called Sky Is the Limit, which retired quite a while ago. I bought this pre-loved set a few months ago as I knew that a very special person would get excited about the plane. He has such an interest in aircraft of a bygone era that he builds his own models, both static and radio controlled. I think when I asked, this isn't a real plane design but made up of parts of several, most we've seen at Old Warden and Duxford. This is for you Mr G, attempting to join two hobbies again. I hope the path becomes clear...


I think this set goes so well with Lovely as a Tree, which is still a current set as of writing. I decided to use Shimmery White cardstock to stamp onto as I wanted to do a watercoloured background. Although in the process of being discontinued, using plenty of water on my piece of card, I chose Soft Sky for...well, you guessed, the sky while the grass is Garden Green! I used the Basic Grey Archival ink to stamp the trees and plane as it's water resistant.


To colour the trees, I used Garden Green, Old Olive and Lemon Lime Twist and using a slightly damp water colour brush, dabbed the ink on to get the effect. As you can see, the paper buckled a little so once dry enough I put it on my desk with weights on top.


I wasn't sure which colour to use when matting and layering at first. I tried several colours that I'd used to colour the card before finally settling on a very narrow border in Garden Green. This was then mounted onto my base card. A simple sentiment stamped directly onto the card completed it.


I don't often create this type of card as I tend to prefer lots of white space on my designs but I really do hope you like it, nonetheless.

Bev🎕

Thank you for viewing my blog today. I'd be very happy to be your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator if you don't already have one. If you would like a copy of the current catalogue, I can arrange for you to receive one if you contact me.

If you'd like to place an order for any current items, please click on the "Shop With Me 24/7" button near the top of the page or alternately, click on the product links below.







Tuesday 8 May 2018

Sneak Peak at the New Colours


Hello again, unusually for me I don't have a make to show you today. I just wanted to show the new colours coming out soon. As you may be aware, Stampin' Up! have had a colour revamp; some colours retiring but with both new and old favourites coming in to replace them. We've even got some staying but going into a different colour family. Demonstrators can get their hands on these new colours plus a selection of items from the new Annual Catalogue as a pre-order from 2 - 31 May. The Catalogue will then go live at the beginning of June for everybody. So exciting... I'm just waiting for my parcel to arrive... Wednesday, 9th May seems so far away!


I admit that at first I was a little daunted by this. I know each year that 5 In Colours will retire but this is really quite radical. However, it does mean that when Stampin' Up! see changes happening, they review their colour spectrum to ensure that they remain consistently on top of their trends.

So, the colours that are leaving us... 

If there are any you particularly love, get them while you can. Subject to stock these colours will only be available from Stampin' Up! until 31st May.


What will replace them? 

These are the fabulous new In Colours 2018-2020. I have to admit I've been waiting for a "proper" bright blue, isn't it a lovely shade?



I mentioned we have some returning colours too. 


And so onto the new colour families. Basic Black, Very Vanilla and Whisper White have been moved out of the Neutrals collection, making way for a much more colourful and exciting colour family.


In addition to the new colours, there has been a redesign for the ink pads. The case is a new, more intuitive design with an improved ink formula too. The ink now has the addition of a d.efoamer. I love how they stack; it makes it so much easier when there are several colours in use on the table.


I hope you've enjoyed the chance to look at the new colours, I think you'll agree that the new colour suites are right on trend. Happy crafting.

Bev🎕

Thank you for viewing my blog today. I'd be very happy to be your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator if you don't already have one. If you would like a copy of the current catalogue, I can arrange for you to receive one if you contact me.

If you'd like to place an order for any current items, please click on the "Shop With Me 24/7" button near the top of the page.

Saturday 5 May 2018

Coffee, Cards, Cake...and Tranquil Tulips

Hello again, I managed to get to Coffee and Cards with Susan, my lovely upline at Craftyduckydoodah for a second week running. This week she brought along a lovely hostess set called Tranquil Tulips.


I have to admit I'm not really a lover of tulips, however, this particular stamp set is lovely. I really like the stamp of the Muscari commonly known as Grape Hyacinth. There are several tiny fill in stamps too which are perfect for creating your own DSP.


As usual we made a note card, which tends to be the slightly simpler one to make. We stamped both elements of the larger tulip onto scrap card and fussy cut the image out so that when added it gave some depth. It's such a pretty design, especially with the curved sentiment that I decided to make a set of these cards, complete with a storage box. More of that later...


The second card is A6 in size and landscape style. We stamped the stems and leaves onto Whisper White card and then added the base tulip. The tulips are 2 stage stamps, which means you use the first stamp and then stamp over the image with the second smaller stamp. Often with these stamps you use a combination of second generation stamping - where you stamp onto scrap paper first so the ink isn't so bold and then full strength ink for the next stamp. Sounds slightly complicated. sorry, but it is really easy. Even I can do it.


Of course, I was so busy chatting that when it came to stampin the inside of the card, I stamped the wrong way round! Another happy accident though as I completed this design up to the point of sticking it onto the base card. I finished it at home.


This meant I had a spare base card in portrait style. Not one to waste the opportunity to get crafting, I set about slightly upscaling the note card design, using a different sentiment.


I hope you like these simple yet elegant designs and have been inspired to have a go.

Bev🎕

Thank you for viewing my blog today. I'd be very happy to be your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator if you don't already have one. If you would like a copy of the current catalogue, I can arrange for you to receive one if you contact me.

If you'd like to place an order for any current items, please click on the "Shop With Me 24/7" button near the top of the page or alternately, click on the product links below.