Stampin' Up! Ornament Keepsakes

A quick post today to show you how a simple card can be really effective and to tantalise you with some news I just heard from Stampin' Up!

There is something special happening on the first of November to do with this Stamp Set! So remember to check back in tomorrow.

Many of our Pink Ladies and Pink Lads are off in the early hours of the morning to the European Stampin' Up! Convention. I am a little jealous as I know they will get lots of sneak previews and freebies. But Germany was a little far to go for a weekend and so I am staying home... in the wet!

 

 

This simple little card was made using one of the Ornament Keepsakes Stamps, Embossed with Irridescent Ice, the sentiment is from Greetings of The Season and the zig zag stripy paper is from Festival of Prints. Quick, Simple and Simply gorgeous!

 

 

Here is a close up of the Ornament...

 

I hope you'll pop in tomorrow for the exciting November offer. I can't wait for the details!

Pxx



Stampin' Up! - Christmas Deer

I have tried not to inundate you with Christmas projects but there are so many lovely Christmas items available in the two Stampin' Up! catalogues that I have been crafting away making loads of Christmas cards.

This one is one of my favourites!

 



I stamped the Christmas Deer with Versamark and embossed it using Stampin' Emboss ®
gold powder. Cut it out with one of the Labels Collection Framelits and my Big Shot. I then matted it on another Labels Collection cut out from the new Glimmer card and put it on my card front. The sentiment is from the Greetings of the Season set, also stamped with Versamark and embossed.

Just look at the fantastic detail in his antlers and the 'bling' added by that Glimmer card.

The Christmas Deer set is only £10.95 in Clear or £13.95 in Wood! I am really amazed by how competitive the prices are from Stampin' Up!

Stampin' Up! - Bordering on Romance

Tuesday evening we had a great time at a party - all of the guests were Stamping and Sticking and for many (hopefully) enjoying their first crafting experience.

We really went to town with punches, the Big Shot and glitter. What a fab way to break up the working week.

What is even better is the party sales figure meant the lovely Hostess got £40 off a Big Shot! Bargain.

So here's to something else I made this week. If you remember I was a little dubious of my colouring skills. But Stampin' Up! products do really help you get the hang of new techniques...

Maybe my colouring skills aren't quite as bad as I thought!

For this card I used Pink Pirouette as the main focus colour and the Bordering on Romance Stamp Set. I also used the co-ordinating Adorning Accents Framelits and Edgelits, the Labels Collection Framelits and Fancy Fan embossing folder.

To get the shading just right I actually coloured using ink from my ink pads, painted on with my Blender Pens.

I hope you like it... remember if there is a particular style or technique you would like to try I am just on the end of the phone. I can also demonstrate it at a party or workshop.

Please leave a comment and consider holding a party yourself... you could qualify for at least £25 worth of FREE product!

Paula xxx

Something Stampin Up for the boys...

It's always a challenge making male cards... even harder when they are youngsters!

So I decided to have a play with the new Moving Forward Stamp Set.

For this card I used the Fancy Fan embossing folder to make some 'waves'.

I was really pleased with the result and the little frog just added a bit of humour!

I have used Midnight Muse, Rich Razzleberry and Gumball Green, Using one of my markers to add some colour to the sail.

The sentiment is from the Perfectly Penned set... love it at the quirky angle.

Paula xx

Stampin' Up! Scrapbooking

I hope you enjoyed this weekends Pinkies Blog Hop!

Before I started using Stampin' Up! products I had never heard of Scrapbooking, let alone tried it!

So here I am ten months later and I have created my first Scrapbook page!

One of my dogs won a class at an Agility competition that meant he has been promoted to the next level. He is now Grade 5. The highest is Grade 7. So as you can imagine I was so proud. So I decided my first tentative steps into the scrapbooking world would be to create a page in celebration of Blaze.

 

 

Don't you just love the detail on the Butterfly?

 

 

 

I used -

 

Colours - So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Lucky Limeade

Punches - Elegant Butterfly, Scallop Edge Border, Blossom, 1 3/4" and 1 1/4" Scallop Circles

Stamp Sets - Flowering Flourishes, Papillon Pot Pourri, Mixed Bunch and Lovely Letters Alphabet

Embellishments - Pearl Basic Jewels, Brushed Bronze Designer Buttons and some Bakers Twine

Designer Series Paper - Twitterpated

 

I would love your thoughts on my attempt so please leave a comment!

 

If you would like to buy Stampin' Up! products I can take your order and have it delivered to your door! Just give me a call on 07786 860438

 

Paula xxx

 

 

 



Pinkies Blog Hop - Stampin' Up! Serene Silhouettes



We're so glad you could join us on our Blog Hop, We'll be showcasing lots of gorgeous projects using products from the new Stampin' Up!® 2012-2013 Annual Catalogue. Simply use the buttons at the bottom of each post to keep on hopping. We love comments so please tell us what you think.

If you arrived here from Nicky Dexter's blog, I hope you enjoyed her beautiful work showcasing Fine Feathers.

For this hop I am focusing on the new Serene Silhouettes Stamp Set. I hope to demonstrate how versatile one set can be by showing you three entirely different cards using this one set.

The first card is very simple with a Whisper White mat, stamped with the Tree from this set, then with three mini brads added the mat is stuck to a Basic Black card that has been embossed with the new Framed Tulips Folder. But it would be just as effective without the Embossing.

 



This second variation is stamped on Vellum Card with Versamark and embossed with Black Stampin' Emboss® Powder, The card stock is Cajun Craze and More Mustard.

The final card in the series uses a different stamp from the set, embossing with the Big Shot, sponging and masking techniques, and a little sparkle from the Basic Jewels. The colour combination is Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder and Elegant Eggplant.

I love the new Fancy Fan embossing folder...

If you would like any more information about the products and techniques used in these projects - please do ask - I am happy to help!

Now I will let you continue on your travels through the Pinkies Blog Hop, your next stop is Sarah Makin's blog, who has been creative using a selection of products from the new catalogue.



Window to Stampin' Up!

Tomorrow is the big Pinkies Blog Hop - I hope you are looking forward to it!

In the mean time here is another card using some more of my new craft items from the Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue. This uses one of the Stamp Sets that has a co-ordinating punch.

 

If you would like to order any of the products used to make this card then please give me a call. 07786 860438.

 Card Stock is:

• Not Quite Navy
• Marina Mist
• Whisper White
• Bashful Blue.

Ink is:

• Marina Mist
• Not Quite Navy.

Stamp Sets are:

• Petite Pairs
• Just Believe
• Language of Friendship (Co-Ordinating Punches).

Punches are:

• 1" Square
• Boho Blossoms
• Bird Builder
• Curly Label.

Embossing Folder is:

• Framed Tulips.

Ribbon is:

• 1cm Taffeta in Not Quite Navy.

See you all again soon! Don't forget to check in tomorrow to follow the new Pinkies Blog Hop!

 

Punch Art and Embroidery

Last week a very good friend of mine had a birthday. Now this friend collects Elephants and I don't have an Elephant stamp so I wracked my brains, trawled Google and CASE'd this card... with a few tweaks. (I can't remember whose Blog it was on but there were a couple of versions.)

As well as a selection of Stampin' Up punches I also used my Adorning Accents Edgelits and my Little Leaves Sizzlits.

The 'E' which is my friends initial is stamped with the new Lovely Letters Alphabet Stamps.

Then to co-ordinate with the card I embroidered another little elephant with a lilac butterfly on to a cotton tote bag.

I do embroider these bags to order and they are available in lots of colours at £8.50 per bag plus P&P.

Having posted every day last week I thought I would add a little suspense... and stop bombarding my friends with FB links to my Blog. So this week I have been a little more selective. But check back each day just in case there is something new to see.

There will also be a Pinkies Blog Hop coming soon!

For those of you who haven't heard of this, it's a post with a link to the next Blog... then the next links to the next and so on. So you are taken on a tour of Pinkie Blogs. I hope you enjoy it.

The first Blog in the Hop will be the lovely Michelle Last... who is our wonderful Upline though you can start anywhere on the Hop as it will link in a continuous loop.

Hope you are having a good week!

Paula xxx

Bad Blogger!

I have failed - I'm so sorry!

I had all good intentions to take my camera and get lots of fantastic photo's at the Pinkies' Training on Sunday. Unfortunately my organisational skills didn't extend to remembering to put a memory card in the camera!

To make up for it I am showing you the most fantastic 'Make and Take' that we were able to make.

Now I am not the fastest crafter in the world so I completed it last night so I could show you all!

 

It is a stunning notecard holder with 4 notecards - Isn't it just beautiful!?

 

Here are the notecards to go inside...

 

 



 The design uses just one Stampset. Kindness Matters... Can you believe it is only £8.95 for the clear set! The colours are Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla and Whisper White.

There are a number of different Edgelits, Framelits and Embossing folders - I hope you agree it is a truly stunning set and would make a great gift!

The Paper used to make the folders is almost card stock thickness and is the Natural Composition Speciality Designer Series Paper. Not something I have really taken much notice of before but this little project highlighted it's versatility - I LOVE it!

Thank you to the lovely Nicky Dexter and Michelle Last who came up with this Make and Take - Very Happy!

Back soon so keep your eyes peeled for the next project I will be showing you - I can assure you it is something completely different!

Paula xxx





Pinkie Swaps

So - today I have scheduled this post as I am in Bicester having a fabulous time with my fellow Pinkies!

We will be playing with all the NEW Stampin' Up! products. Learning New Techniques, eating, drinking and having a great time!

As I promised here are pictures of the Swaps I created... I hope my fellow Pinkies like them.

I used You are Loved, Mixed Bunch, Need for Speed, The Open Sea and Stazon Ink to stamp on Shrink plastic and made these fun keyrings!

Just in case anyone didn't 'like' them I also made some edible swaps as they ALWAYS go down well!

Yup - Mint Crisps decorated using the Ornament Keepsake Bundle, What a fun idea for the Christmas Tree!!!

I'll hopefully be able to post some pictures from training tomorrow. Don't forget - if you would like to be part of this great team you can use the link above to contact me or become a Demonstrator.

Paula xxx

Pinkies Training - Demonstrators

I'm so excited! The Pink Lads and Ladies (yes we have gentlemen demonstrators in our team!) have monthly and quarterly team training.

The quarterly training is a huge affair and lasts all day. Usually held in a lovely hall in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

We all pitch up in the morning and spend the day watching demonstrations, eating too much cake, drinking unlimited Tea and Coffee, we make some projects ourselves and have a raffle... and more!

Last time there were 40 of us! How brilliant is that?

One of the aspects of 'crafty' get togethers is the swaps. Each person makes a set of identical swaps, one for each attendee - we then swap with each other. You can use your swaps for personal inspiration or you can showcase them at your parties.

A standard swap is a card front you create using Stampin' Up! products. This quarter I have done a couple of different things and had great fun making them!

You'll have to pop back tomorrow to see some pictures!

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Paula xxx

Stampin' Up! Christmas... and Demonstrator Benefits!

Just one of the lovely things about being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is that Stampin' Up! are very supportive. They are constantly keeping you updated, offering incentives and giving you ideas!

One of the things we receive is a monthly news letter. In this months edition was a wonderful idea for using up all those little off cuts of Designer Series Paper. I do so hate waste!

So here is my version of the card they showed in the magazine.

 

 

 I have used some offcuts of the Festival of Prints DSP, another little star punched with Glimmer Card and the sentiment from Greetings of The Season.

I rounded the corners by poking them into one of my Circle Punches.

I hope you like it!

If  you would like more information about joining as a Demonstrator then please get in touch!

There is no pressure as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator - you order as little or as much as you like. If you choose not to meet the quarterly minimum. Your benefits stop but no-one puts pressure on you... and your Starter Kit is yours! Whatever happens. So you can get £130 worth of product for just £99 and don't need to do anything more. But the benefits if you do are amazing!

Give me a call 07786 860438

Paula xxx

Snow Swirled.

I thought I ought to show some more Christmassy projects. I know there are still eleven weeks until Christmas but the time passes so quickly, there just won't be time for me to make enough cards for all my friends and family so I started early.

Though presents are another matter entirely! My family all seem to have everything!

I indulged my new passion for embossing with this card.

 



The card stock is Night of Navy.

The stamp set is the New Snow Swirled set, I stamped with my Versamark ink and added Silver Stampin' Emboss® powder and melted it with my Heat Gun. I added the sentiment from Greetings of The Season, Then gave the card a spray with the Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz®.

I punched a star using my Merry Minis Star Punch from Silver Glimmer Card and added it using a Dimensional.

Hope you like it - I thought it was very effective.

Paula xxx

Something different! Canine Capers...

In August I attended a huge dog agility show in Ipswich. Dogs In Need is a show that raises money for charity and whilst I was there I was drawn to a trade stand displaying stunning portraits.

I have never had pictures done of my boys so I decided to take the plunge! You don't have to buy on the day so I thought I would see what the proofs were like before committing!

The only problem was I only had two of the 3 dogs with me.

Well here are Blaze and Mavericks' finished pictures (unframed as I am rubbish at photography!)

 Aren't they stunning images? If you would like portraits of your dog or dogs then contact Chris via his website.

http://pet-ography.com/

So then what to do about Ben!? Well I found a local photographer who took photo's of Ben for me - I then sent them to Chris who produced this...

What a service! Not many photographers would have gone to those lengths! And thanks to Gerry for the pictures of Ben.

Monster Photography By Gerry

Now I have stunning pictures of my 3 boys forever!

Stampin' Up! Stampin' Medley

I have used a medley of old and new Stamp Sets for this card.

Flourish from Creative Elements
Flowers from Bright Blossoms
Butterflies from Papillon Potpourri
Sentiment is Beautiful Birthday (I love this Stamp!)

The background images are stamped with Summer Starfruit, Garden Green and Wisteria Wonder

The mat is Elegant Eggplant, as is the Sentiment.

As you can see I couldn't resist Embossing and Punching out another butterfly, this time I used Vellum Card and underlaid it with another Punched butterfly. Finishing it off with three 3mm Pearl Basic Jewels.

You can make a version of this card at a party or make an appointment to visit my home and see some of the products for yourself. Just call me to make an appointment.

Paula xxx

A Real Papillon Potpourri.

A real Potpourri of new products here! In fact I think these were the first items I chose from the new catalogue!

You know when you see something, haven't got the faintest idea what you will do with it but just have to have it? Well that's me... most of the time! OK All of the time!

I am what is probably termed a serial hoarder and have to have 'everything'.

Anyway, enough waffle. Here is the card...

 

 

This was so quick and simple. Ideal if you don't have much time to create but want something stunning to give someone!

 

 

Here I Stamped one of the images from the Flowering Flourishes Stamp Set, two of the smaller Butterflies and a Sentiment from Perfectly Penned. I added 2 stamped and punched Butterflies from Papillon Potpourri, et voila!!

 

As a final touch I spritzed with a dash of Smooch Spritz® Vanilla Shimmer.

 

This would be a lovely card to make at a party - every guest gets to make and take a card and gets an envelope to put it in! (If I don't forget the envelopes, hopefully I won't do that again.)

I think you'll agree the sparkle adds that 'little something'. It's only £4.50 for a bottle and goes such a long way!

Paula xxx

 

Willkomen Osterreich Und Welkom Nederlands!

From the 8th of October Stampin' Up! welcomes Osterreich (Austria - the birthplace of my husbands father!) and the Nederlands (Holland - the home of very dear friends of our family!) to the Stampin' Up! family.

Residents of these two countries will now be able to join as demonstrators and order products... The other fantastic thing is that European demonstrators will be able to sell cross markets!

So if you live in Deutschland, France, Nederlands, Osterreich YOU can order Stampin' Up! products direct from ME using your Visa or Mastercard and have them delivered direct to your door!

So... start browsing that catalogue now! And e-mail your order to me at mailme@paulaknall.co.uk

To join my team as a demonstrator go to my Demonstrator page for information.

This is such exciting news so all my Dutch, German, Austrian and French friends... please share my Blog on your wall so all your friends can see this exciting news! You never know who may be a secret crafter!

The future's bright... the future's open to ALL!

Paula xxx

Basic Baby Boutique

Here's a card I made whilst trying out new products from the 2012-2013 Stampin' Up! Catalogue...

I just love the Baby Boutique Stamp Set, but I'm not the most creative person in the world! :-(

What I did was stamped the little booties on a doily cut out with the Delicate Doilies Sizzlit and matted it on Pink Pirouette card cut out using the Windows Framelit. The Big Shot is such a versatile cutting machine!

Why did I add the bird? Not sure it adds to the card... but I just love it! LOL

If you would like a copy of the new catalogue - collect from me for just £3, get one FREE if you host a party or spend £50. If you would like one delivered you can add it to your order.

Paula xxx

Chocolate!

Tonight I went to a Chocolate party... Oh dear! Too much lovely chocolate to resist!

I did miss crafting for the evening but they were a lovely bunch of ladies, some of whom I will be seeing at a party later this month.

Hopefully I'll be able to take some pictures at the party and post them on here!

Paula xx

The Excitement - All New Stampin' Up Goodies!

Well I haven't blogged for a few days as I was waiting for my new stash from Stampin' Up! I may have gone a bit over the top with my order, the only trouble is I am already thinking ,'I should have bought...'

The first project I made was a Birthday Card for my Mum. It's OK she won't see it. She doesn't 'do' computers! I hope she'll like it!

You remember that colouring I was talking about - I definitely haven't mastered it but I think this is OK. I used my Stampin' Write Markers,

The colour combo's on this card are Bravo Burgundy and Always Artichoke.

The ribbon is Whisper White 1cm Taffeta with a Regals, Garden Green Brad.

The cardstock is Bravo Burgundy and Whisper White.

The Rubber Stamp Sets are Bordering on Romance, Papillon Potpourri and Beautiful Birthday.

The Framelits used to cut out each element are the Labels Framelit and Floral Frames Framelit.

I also used one of the Adorning Accents Embossing Folders and co-ordinating Edgelit.

Each of the flowers is embellished with a 3mm Pearl Basic Jewel.

Lastly, because I have been dying to get this set, and because I have bought a Heat Gun and Embossing Powders, I Stamped one of the Papillon Potpourri Butterflies, embossed it with Gold Stampin' Emboss® powder, Punched out the Butterfly with my new Butterfly Punch and added it.

I'm pleased as punch with it, Stampin' Up! really do know how to co-ordinate their products!

I have four more projects to show you so remember to come back and check them out!

If you would like to see any of these products demonstrated - then ask me when you book your Party! If you want to place an order or book a party call me on 07786 860438.

Paula xx

Stampin' Up!® with Merry Minis

Well folks, I placed my order from the new 2012-2013 Annual Catalogue at silly o'clock on Monday morning and it is in transit!

I am so excited about all the new products I have ordered and can't wait to show you. But I couldn't leave you all without a post to look at in the mean time.

Hopefully I will have had a chance to create with my new stash in time to put something up on Friday.

Here is a card I made using the Merry Mini Stamp Set and corresponding Merry Mini Punch Set. I used Primrose Petals, Gumball Green and Summer Starfruit Inks and Card Stock. The Small Scallop Circles are punched with the 1 1/4" Punch and the plain Circles with the 1" Punch.

I had to cut my dimensionals into quarters so I could raise up the punched shapes.

 

In the second image you can see how the coloured Punched Circles have been matted on to the Whisper White Card stock. The entire mat is run through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder - unless you look really closely you can't tell that the coloured spots aren't printed on the card... amazing!

 



 

 

So - what are you planning next?

 

I am going to try colouring some stamped images... I tried once before and was absolutely useless, so if anyone can give me any tips - please leave a comment for me!

 

 

I shall post some of my attempts - if they aren't too humiliating! 

NEW Catalogue on line NOW!!!!!!!!!

OK folks,

This is it! The new catalogue is available NOW! Just click the link on the right to view it in all it's loveliness!

You can place orders with me for delivery direct to your door!

Even more exciting is that for just £5 extra you can have your own copy of the catalogue delivered with your order. So how fabulous is that?

Now, I know you couldn't imagine anything more exciting so wait until you read this! If you join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator in October or November you are eligible to receive a FREE, yes that's FREE, pack of Designer Series Paper every month for six months... That's nearly £60 worth of stunning, double sided, patterned crafting paper absolutely FREE.

See my page about becoming a demonstrator and the leaflet below...

Go on - you know you want to! Call me 07786 860438.

So much excitement and loveliness!!

Paula xx

Decorating Glass Jars with Stampin' Up!

Sometimes you are left with the most beautiful jars and it seems such a waste to put them in the Recycle Bin... Some are just crying out to be crafted with!

So here is a simple example of what you can do with a couple of  Stamp Sets, some Card, Patterned Paper and a Big Shot!

Just what to put in it? :-)

I used Twitterpated Paper then used the Windows Framelits dies to cut out, first the Summer Starfruit card stock, that I embossed on the Big Shot using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder, I Stamped the label in Raspberry Ripple using the Friendship Preserves Stamp Set, then cut that out too with the appropriate sized framelit.

A little tip when adhering something quite stiff to a rounded surface, to help prevent it coming unstuck is to place it in your palm and gently 'slide' it over the edge of yout table, this causes it to curve so it will stick more firmly without wanting to come unstuck!

The flowers were stamped from the Mixed Bunch Stamp Set, Raspberry Ripple and Summer Starfruit ink and punched using the Blossom Punch and the 1" Circle Punch. I added one of the larger pearls to the centre and the leaves can be hand cut! I cheated though and used the Ornament Framelit that is the perfect shape and my Simply Scored scoreboard to add detail.

The ribbons are the Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta on the lid and 3/8" Taffeta in Certainly Celery.

To finish off I thought the lid needed something more than just the ribbon...

Here I used all 3 sizes of the Scallop Circle Punches and embossed each one, I used the Perfect Polka Dots, Square Lattice and the Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folders... and added another leaf to finish.

This was a fun project and enabled me to showcase lots of my Stampin' Up! supplies, you don't need to use quite so many products to create a similar project.

Why not give me a call or post a comment if you would like me to make some suggestions as to how you could do something similar?

Remember - if you become a demonstrator you can receive product in your Starter Kit to the value of £130 for just £99! And don't forget if you join in October or November you also get FREE Designer Patterned Papers!

Paula xx