Double Challenge Entry

Now I'm back in the crafting swing of things, I thought I would enter a few challenges again. Today's card is for 2 challenges, Dynamic Duo's #72 Here and CAS Colours and Sketches blog Here.

It's a really simple take on the CAS sketch using the Dynamic Duo of Blushing Bride and Primrose Petals.

The sentiment is from Blooming with Kindness, the card stock was cut using the Large Scallop edgelit and embossed with the Delicate Designs embossing folder.

As you can see I dressed it up with a few little pearls.

Pop back soon for another challenge entry.

Paula x

Simply CASEd

Most Crafters will recognise the phrase to CASE - it means to Copy And Share Everything. For me, I would be so proud if someone CASEd something of mine!

Today's post is a card I made using inspiration from a German Stampin' Up! Demo, Jenni Paulie.

The Dutch and German Demo's had an event last week to get together similar to the UK ones, and one of our lovely Dutch Pinkies posted a picture of the swap she received from Jenni, I loved it but it is a style I've never mastered - each time I try it ends up looking like the contents of my scraps box.

Jenni's swap though inspired this card, and I am really pleased with it!

I used a Crumb Cake base, a Perfect Plum mat, a layer of DSP from the Season of Style Paper Stack, I added a doily and then on top a punched circle from Perfect Plum card stock embossed with the Chevron embossing folder.

I wrapped a few turns of Bakers Twine around, then tied a short length of Linen Thread and placed it on top, punched out some chevrons with the Chevron Punch, Stamped a design from Label Love using Perfect Plum and punched it out using the Artisan Label, you'll see there is a Crumb Cake label behind that I punched, cut in half and offset at each end. The Congratulations Sentiment is from Love and Laughter and cut out using the Bitty Banners framelits. Curled slightly with my bone folder.

I added a few little pearls and love the result! I would love to hear what you think and hope you'll pop back soon!

Paula xxx

I'm Home!

Hi folks, although it is lovely to be home with the animals and my crafting I will really miss Agistri and the lovely friends we have there.

I checked with the owner of the hotel who was happy for me to put some of my cards attached to little bookmarks I had made, in the hotel Library... I am so happy to say they were a huge hit and I got some blog views whilst I was there - So I hope those people will continue to follow me!

Remember you can shop from my on-line store by following the link to my Stampin' Up! website on the right where it says, 'Shop Now'.

Whilst I was away Stampin' Up! made two fantastic announcements. Firstly that a new set of Single Stamps is now available featuring Christmas stamps.

You can buy these from my On-Line shop or from me direct.

Also... and this is the MOST amazing thing! Stampin' Up! have set up a UK Clearance Rack... they are selling off, brand new, retired items at up to 80% discount! Once it is gone it's gone - so it is better to buy from my On-Line store to get real time stock.

Items are added on a regular basis so keep checking back to see if there is anything new you must have and take advantage of the great deals!

Now I am mega excited to be off to the Stampin' Up! creative tour this afternoon, and as you can imagine I have loads to do having been away, so I'll leave you with those two fab announcements and will be back soon!

I'll have some holiday pics to show you too at some point!

P xxx

Candle Box Video Tutorial with Chalk Talk

Today's is the last of my scheduled posts, as I get back from Greece tomorrow. Hopefully it hasn't rained on me for the whole week or I'll be in a foul mood!

Wednesday evening I'm off to Wokingham for the Stampin' Up! Creative Tour - it's the first year they have held this event so I am really excited to find out what is going to happen! Stampin' Up! really organise some fantastic events, unfortunately this time I haven't had a chance to make any swaps so it will be interesting to see what everyone has made - hopefully some people will let me photograph their swaps as I won't be bringing any home. If you would like to join my team - please get in touch and I can explain everything to you. You get £130 worth of product for just £99! And never have to sell a thing if you don't want to. Just use your Demo status to get great discounts and to attend the Stampin' Up! events and Michelle Last's amazing Pinkie training.

Anyhow, here is a lovely little box I made for some tealight candles. You'll notice I stamped the Window Sheet with Stazon - I think it's beautiful! As is that Chalk Talk stamp set with co-ordinating framelits.

Finally the Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding makes beautiful bows!

Well without further ado - here is the video - Enjoy watching and hopefully I'll get a chance to update you later in the week!

Blooming With Kindness

Here is my second Scheduled post to keep you entertained whilst I'm sunning myself on a remote Greek Island!

This is a 3 card example of different colourways of a Thank You card I made using Blooming With Kindness.

Again - they are simple cards, so you don't need any special tools. Don't forget you can order On-Line wherever I am in the world as Stampin' Up! distribute directly to you!

I'm not sure if I've posted this one before - but I used the masking technique to partially stamp the same stamp set on this card...

And finally - whilst I'm focusing on this set, here is something a little more complex, though dead simple to make.

The bottom of the card was trimmed off using the Large Scallop Framelit and my Big Shot, a further piece of cardstock was cut with the same framelit then embossed using the Big Shot and the Delicate Designs embossing folder. I added the Pink Pirouette Taffeta ribbon, then stamped the flower on an offcut of card stock, added the sentiment and punched it out using the Large Oval Punch.

I hope you are inspired by what I have shown you today, don't forget if you have any question on using any products or would like to see a demonstration, just let me know and I'll help as soon as I can.

Hostess Only set...

Today's post contains some really simple single layer cards, all made using the Hostess Only set - Simply Sketched. These Hostess sets are only available to be purchased using Hostess Pounds or On-Line Rewards.

This particular set just ticked all the boxes for me - I will just say - you are not limited to buying Hostess sets with your rewards... you can spend them on anything from the catalogues.

I'm not going to write very much more as I think Simply Sketched speaks for itself...

This first card is the most complex - I heat embossed the poppy on Vellum, dry embossed the top and bottom edges of the Vellum using the Needlepoint Border embossing folder and my Big Shot.

This second card, I coloured the poppy using my Stampin' Write Marker and used the sentiment from Million to One.

This card I coloured using ordinary coloured pencils to follow the Sketch theme.

This is another where I used Million to One. I just love the big bold sentiments in the set.

Finally the little bird was also coloured using my markers and a Blender Pen.

Hope you'll pop back for another post soon!

Paula xxx

Challenge Entries.

OK - so I had to do just one more post before my holidays... especially as I had some time to kill.

I thought I would make a challenge entry, and strangely enough I was able to combine two challenges. I don't often manage that as I can usually only get my head round one thing at a time!

So today's card combines an entry into CAS Colours and Sketches and Dynamic Duos challenges.

I used the new Stylish Stripes embossing folder from the Autumn/Winter Seasonal and a stamp from Creative Elements for the background. then punched the strip of So Saffron card using the Scallop Trim border punch then added a strip of Organza Ribbon.

The topper was made by stamping the bird from the Simply Sketched hostess set, punching it out with the Extra Large Oval punch and layering it on a punched out Decorative Label.

I was quite pleased with how it turned out.

Don't forget you can order On-Line whilst I'm away!

A little Grunge... Masculine Card

OK folks - this is my last post before my holiday, during which there are some scheduled posts coming up, including a video tutorial.

I cased the technique from Darlene Devries. I just love her video tutorials!

This card has a Very Vanilla base, sponged lightly round the edges with Crumb Cake ink. The next layer is another piece of Very Vanilla, this time sponged a lot more liberally with the Crumb Cake. then I inked up my En Francais background stamp, dabbed it with a babywipe and stamped it on top, lastly I wet my fingers and flicked water at it! That left some great watermarks.

When I get my freebie, Gorgeous Grunge at Convention I expect you'll see more cards like this!

I ran another strip of VV through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice embossing folder, and again sponged the edges.

Lastly I printed the sentiment from Chalk Talk, cut it out on the Big Shot using the co-ordinating framelit and popped some dimensionals on the back before sticking all the layers together.

I was really pleased and it was a step completely out of my comfort zone.

Don't forget to place your On-Line orders whilst I am away and if you need anything I will probably be able to check out my e-mails!

See you soon!

Paula xxx

Stepping it up!

I haven't forgotten you all, honestly, I'm just finding it really hard to leave my craft room at the moment. I have so many gorgeous things to play with and so little time. It is all the more appealing now 'Autumn' has kicked in with a vengeance.

Maybe I should show you some pictures of my craft room... the problem is, although my wonderful husband built in loads of storage, I have filled it all. It is also our spare bedroom so I can't really customise it as much as I would like.

Work is quite busy and I need to make up some hours so I haven't been getting home until 5pm (I start at 7am) then the dogs need walking and I manage a couple of hours crafting if I'm not doing a party or sorting out orders.

Today's cards are examples of a minimalist sort of card only using some basic supplies, then what we call a 'stepped up' version using additional tools and embellishments. It is the sort of card I might demo at a party to show the guests, then they would all make the basic card to take home.

So here is the first card.

In fact I would probably make it without the flower in the top right as some people may not wish to invest in a punch right away... mind you punches are my weakness and with so many of the bundles available where you get a discount for buying the stamp set and punch... why wouldn't you?

Here I used the Flower Shop Bundle (Punch and stamp set) and the stamp set Million to One... I love the two sentiments!

So to the 'stepped up' version.

You can see here I have added some of the Ruffle Stretch Trim and a Large Pearl.

Those little incidental items can really jazz up something simple.

I would love for you to share any tips and ideas you may have for stepping up a card.

Don't forget On-Line ordering is now available. (Click on the shop now image) Two little tips for you, firstly if you are searching for a stamp set by name, please check you have the English version before buying, not the German or French one... secondly, Hostess pounds that you start to earn when your order reaches £150 are called Rewards, when you purchase on-line. PLEASE do enter your choice of FREE items if you are prompted to redeem rewards. they will not be credited to your account or carried over to your next order, you need to redeem them straight away.

Well I'm off now - I'm going on holiday on Monday and have lots to sort out... including making sure the house is presentable for the friend who is staying here. I like the animals to have company whilst I'm away.

Hopefully I'll be back soon!

Love 'n' hugs!

Paula xx

On-Line Shopping NOW LIVE

Fantastic news ladies and gentlemen! Stampin' Up! have been working tirelessly to resolve the On-Line shopping problems. And at last it is all sorted.

You can now buy from me on-line 24/7 by visiting my Stampin' Up! site or clicking the Shop Now button on the right hand side.

So no matter what time of day or night it is just register and shop!

In addition you may have heard of MDS or seen it on some of the US blogs - well MDS stands for 'My Digital Studio' and is a fantastic piece of software for Digital Scrap booking... though I have used it for loads of things from creating my new business cards to posters advertising my classes and parties. I have even made a couple of quick cards.

It costs just £13.95 however you can try it FREE - yes FREE for 30 days by going to my on-line store and adding product code 130910 

Check it out by watching the video...




Don't forget - if you have any questions, just give me a call! 01844 342494 or 07786 860438

Boxaholic with Tealight Candles

Afternoon everyone. I couldn't face the housework this weekend - I was WAY too inspired craft wise. I mean I had Thursdays party to prep for and it's a special one for 8 brand new ladies!

Also fellow Pinkie, Caroline keeps on making things I fall in love with. And that can get expensive as I NEED to buy things to make the projects.

Just this weekend I bought 88 candles from Asda - to go with the few hundred I got from Ikea!

So today's project was inspired by Caroline and you can visit her blog by clicking here.

So do you know what it is yet? I'm loving the Cherry Cobbler Textured Card Stock, the Gold Foil Sheets, that scrummy Cherry Cobbler Stitched Edge Grosgrain Ribbon and the Chalk Talk stamp set with matching framelits.

Then the card inside that beautifully decorated box, with the little box of candles incorporated.

Making the most of the Window Sheets, using one of last years absolute favourite seasonal stamp sets, Ornament Keepsakes, then the lovely Sassy Salutations, both of which were heat embossed with gold embossing powder. lastly I topped off the ornament with a little of the Whisper White Organza.

I had to get it posted today as I took it along to our monthly get together and some of the pinkies wanted to share it... I made them promise not to until I had uploaded it here for you all to see!

I hope you like it and I will endeavour to record and post a video tutorial... but I am just too inspired at the moment to stop and focus. Plus my little craft room is just completely in disarray with everything I have been up to.

Back soon! Keep watching!

Love P xxxxx