Join me

There is only a few more days to take advantage of the fantastic starter kit offer during sale-a-bration. Check out this video I uploaded to my facebook page this week and head over to the "join my team" page for more information. You'll find a link there to order your starter kit if you are keen to take advantage of this incredible offer.
If you have any questions, I would love to hear from you.

Helen
xx

Once,twice, three times a layer

I had a request from one of my regular customers for a technique class using the triple time stamping method, so this week's technique class featured 5 different cards using this method or variations of it.

The idea is to stamp over more than one layer of cardstock and then you mat each individual piece onto co-ordinating card before sticking your image together. Often when you first stamp, you will find there is a border around the card where the stamp didn't make perfect contact with the layer underneath, but once you have added your mat of card, this is covered up.

This card has a background image and lots of detail

A clean and simple design using "Lovely as a Tree" and offsetting the panels.

Some heat embossing on this card.

This card has overlapping layers that decrease in size.

The layers on this card overlap at right angles.

Five very different cards, but all using the same basic technique - and if there is a special technique, or card fold, or product that you would like to focus on, I am always happy to take suggestions.

I hold a technique class once a month, so wht not come along and join us.

Helen
xx

Five little dickie birds...

When I first thought about bird cards as a theme for one of my classes, I soon realised the wide range of different styles of bird stamps we have in our current offering, including new ones from the spring/summer catalogue and some old faithfuls from the annual catalogue. I also soon realised how easy it was to make cards for every occasion with birds firmly in the picture.

I set about creating 4 cards, (which in total include 5 birds), each one for a different occasion:

New Home

 Using the flying home stamp set with its cute bird images, I have used watercolour pencils to colour it in. The background ids the tree ring background stamp, whilst the celebrate sentiment is a sale-a-bration thinlit

Any of the images on this stamp set would have worked for a new home, but equally for New baby, wedding or anniverary.

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Thank You

I got my inspiration for this card when trawling through Pinterest. You can see the original here

I love this petal passion suite and here I have utilised stamps, dies and embossing folders. The powder pink and basic grey combination is beautiful and I love the little blush of pink on the bird's breast. I created the layers using the lots of labels framelits

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Belated Birthday

Here's a card I need far too often. Sorry it is late. I love these quirky images in the bird banter stamp set and this sentiment just made me laugh. I did some masking of the parrot so I could add the balloon and branch without getting lines all across my bird image. I used the stampin' blends to colour in.

You can have lots of fun with this stamp set.

Happy Anniversary

Best birds and the matching framelits come from the annual catalogue. I dug out my husband's childhood bird book to choose the colours of stampin' blends for my bullfinch and the other bird is coloured to look sparrow like. You can change these birds just by changing the colours. I die cut the birds and branch and positioned them nuzzling together to make an anniversary card. The marina mist background is the large stamp from the "You've got this" stamp set.

I certainly haven't exhausted the different bird images currently available from Stampin' Up, but it is not a bad start. If any of these have taken your fancy, either click on the stamp images to be taken to my online store, or get in touch.

Helen

xxx

A perennial problem solved

I spend all my time making cards, but I am hopeless at sending them. I'm always forgetting birthdays and never just send cards just because... It is something I need to get better at. When I saw the perennial birthday kit in the sping/summer catalogue and saw it on display at our On Stage event last November, I knew that this was something that was not just beautiful, but that also had a practical application. A pretty box with a filing system that allowed you to make note of when everyone's birthdays were and to store the cards ready to send.
I created a little video to show all the different components you get in this kit:

I have had a play with the kit and created the cards as they are laid out in the leaflet, but with these kits I will often make some as the leaflet suggests and then have a bitof a play with some of the others. Changing orientation, embellishing differently, mixing up the sentiments. That is the joy of these kits. If you just want to follow a "recipe", you will be able to produce beautiful cards, but if you feel a little more adventurous you have the ability to get really creative with the components,

When I received my Perennial Birthday stamp set, I had accidentally got the wood mount set. Knowing my stamparatus will be arriving soon and having a preference for stamps I can put on clear blocks, I thought I would attempt to adapt these stamps and I was very pleased with the results. I needed to peel the sticky foam layer off the back of the rubber stamp and this I did by gently heating the back of my stamp with my heat tool to soften the glue. I had seen some posts that suggested putting your stamps in the microwave, but I felt a little reluctant to do that. I then attached some ez mount cling foam to the back of the stamps and cut around them. Voila, a set of stamps all ready to use with my clear blocks- or my stamparatus.

Here are the 4 different cards as designed in the kit:

There is gold ribbon, twine and gold foiling galore. They are beautiful.

On Saturday February 17th I am holding a class where you will receive this kit and I will bring along the stamps, ink and equipment you need to complete the cards. I will also have ideas for ways to change them up a bit and alternate uses for the stamp set. I would love you to join us. The cost of the day is £30. Drinks and snacks are provided, but bring your lunch.

Check out more details here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/341619636246919

Alternatively, I can host a private get together for you and a few friends, or you could purchase the stamp set and inks along with the kit and make it up at home, then use those stamps and inks time and time again. The added bonus is, if you buy those supplies now, you will qualify for a sale-a-bration item. Win, win.

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Hope, like me, you have fallen in love with this kit.

Helen

xx

Pandas in the frame

 When I saw the Party Panda stamp set in the sale-a-bration brochure, it was love at first sight. The pandas are just so cute. They just call out to be masked and grouped together and to have accessories added. They are perfect for small people, but also for valentines. wedding. engagement and of course birthday.

I stamped a whole cluster of pandas in memento ink and used my stampin blends to colour them. I used a small flower from the beautiful bouquet stamp set, some heart shaped enamel shapes and some gold sequins to accesorise.

 They were just ready to be put onto card blanks to create a whole bunch of cute and versatile cards. But sometimes you just don't want to give away the lovely things you've stamped, so I have used these little ones to create a home décor piece

This 10" square frame has an insert to create a 9" square aperture. I cut a 12" square piece of real red card down as a background, because I felt it needed to be bright and bold.

This would be perfect to go up in a nursery or playroom.

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrato

Keep an eye out for future classes where we will create a frame and a set of cards to match. The next one will be using the Beautiful Bouquet stamp set and matching framelits and is scheduled for Saturday 21st April. The first frame class you attend will include a frame in the kit and after that you will be able to switch the contents in your frame.

Crafty hugs

Helen

xx

Pop and Fizz

Buy the bundle - get the paper for free

Bright colours, fun images and sentiments, suitable for young, old, male, female, what more could you ask from a bundle. How about get the paper for free. That has to put an extra smile on your face

This is another set that Stampin' Up have created a video for, so do check it out:

The bundle in the Spring/Summer occasions catalogue includes a stamp set and the co-ordinating die set. The bottle dies and bottle top die also fit the images in the co-ordinating paper, that is only available for free with a qualifying order from the sale-a-bration brochure. Because of that, you need to ensure that if this is on your wishlist, you order it before the end of March.

I've had a couple of opportunities to play with this set. One of my cards was a make and take from "On Stage" in November last year when we were first introduced to this set. Another was designed by Joanne as part of our teams Christmas get together, where we had a shoebox swap.

My other two cards I have both made this week. This is such a fun set. I love the little additional background elements that you get in the stamp set - bubbles and the stain rings.

The other little embellishments that are new in the Spring/Summer catalogue, that work so well with this bundle, is the clear and glitter epoxy shapes. These fit perfectly in the bubble patterned paper in the free collection, but are equally lovely on lots of projects - raindrops, dewdrops, as well as bubbles and condensation on bottles. Of course, the old faithful sequins are also brilliant for adding some fizz.

So if you fancy this bundle of stamps and dies, you need to find a couple more things to make up a £45 order to qualify for your free paper. Those embellishments are just the thing.

146082  Bubble Over Stamp set and Bottles and Bubbles Framelits Dies Bundle         £36.00

145632  Glitter and Clear Epoxy Shapes                                                                         £ 6.25

144214  Metallic Sequin Assortment                                                                               £ 4.50

                                                                                                                                         ______

                                                                                                                                          £46.75

147244  Bubbles and Fizz Designer Series Paper                                                            FREE

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

If you want to treat yourself to some bubbles, do get in touch, or visit my online store.

Helen

xxx

A Heartfelt Party

One of the stamp sets that is proving to be very popular in the sale-a-bration offering this year, is the Heartfelt Blooms. This beautiful "distinktive" stamp is a new patent pending type of stamp and can create stunning multi-dimensional images with just the one main stamp.

Stampin' Up have produced a video about this stamp, so check that out

Because you can create such pretty cards, so easily, it is the perfect stamp set to use for a make and take project at a party, or get together.

If you would like to gather together with some friends and create a card like this lovely fresh fig example, there is no better time than sale-a-bration. As well as your guests being able to choose a sale-a-bration item for free with a £45 order, there are also additional benefits for a hostess. If you generate £200 of sales, you get an additional £20 of hostess benefits on top of the normal offering. 

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Happy Crafting

Helen

xx