Framed Prints...

If you recall I was asked to be part of the design team for the Stampin' Up! Regional Training in the UK...

Here is a little something I put together... so I have had a couple of stabs at scrapbooking... It's just this was on a very small scale to showcase the new stamp set - Something to Say and the Itty Bitty Accent punches that coordinate with some of the images in the stamp set.

This was another of those Box Frames that I bought. Do you notice how I was able to stamp in Versamark on the frame and heat emboss those cute flowers?

I used the Ovals Collection framelits too. As well as a Scallop Circle and Circle punch.

I love the shape of the little heart - and the new big Sweetheart punch is a similar shape.

I'll be back soon with a picture of my Dad's Birthday Card.

Flower Fun

I have to apologise for my lack of posts - it was my wedding anniversary at the weekend and we also had our 6 year old niece to stay... it's hard work entertaining small children. I hope you had a fab weekend!

To top it all it is year end at work so I was at work for twelve and a half hours today! And I have an awful feeling I'm coming down with a strep throat.

It never rains...! Anyhow, to brighten my mood (before I take to my sick bed) I thought I would share this card I made a while ago.

The flowers are from Secret Garden, embossed in white embossing powder then coloured in Calypso Coral with a Blender Pen.

The leaves were fussy cut from Simply Sketched after I heat embossed them and coloured them in the same way. (I love those leaves!)

Finally the sentiment was stamped using the Perfect Pennants set. I really like this card and must knuckle down and make some more!

Hope you like it too!

Pxxx

Sad Times!

Firstly I cannot believe I haven't posted since Sunday... in honesty I can't believe it is Thursday! Where has the week gone? It may have something to do with the fact I work in finance and it was month end last week and we still had forecasts to submit this week. I think it's more likely that I have been spending so much longer outside in the gorgeous sunshine!

It hasn't been a great week for us, one of my husbands customers sadly passed away and we had to have one of our cats (the older one) put to sleep on Monday.

Ever the practical one I wanted to make a card for Chris' customers' husband and so I made this.

You can't really see from this but the image was stamped in Versamark on Vellum and then I used Black embossing powder.

The background was sponged on the Vellum from behind which you can see better on this photo where the light shines through.

Don't forget you can order all the products to make this card from my on-line shop by clicking on the link on the right hand side bar.

I have a few projects I've been working on and I'm just trying to find the time to shoot a short video!

Roll on the weekend!

Paula xxx

Clever embossing...

Ever been frustrated because you haven't got the right colour embossing powder for a project?

Me too! So I figure as Versamark is clear... I just need to add coloured ink - without getting it on my Versamark pad.

I add Versamark to my stamp, then add coloured ink... IN THAT ORDER. :-)

Next stamp the image on your card stock... sprinkle on clear embossing powder (or in this case Irridescent Ice as I wanted some sparkle).

And you have coloured embossing - there are no bounds - you can have any colour you like.

In fact - if you used your Stampin' Write Markers, you could colour the stamp like a rainbow!!!!!

Such a simple solution.

Back soon!

The stamp sets I used are Million and One and Flower Shop.

Once the novelty of the kittens has worn off a bit I'm hoping to get time to enter some challenges. We'll See!

xxx

Monday... Eugh

Well we were supposed to have torrential downpours yesterday and they didn't materialise so hopefully the weather is improving!

Hubby disappeared off to an open mike session at The Swan in Thame and left me to my own devices so I made a couple more cards for a couple more challenges!

This one is a MEGA simple one and once again I got to use my Simply Pressed Clay, some of the retiring Designer Series Papers and a different sentiment from Bring on the Cake. Please note there isn't a hint of Mosaic anything!

The two purple buttons were coloured by adding re-inker and then I put Dazzling Diamonds in the moulds... the pink one at the bottom I embossed with Melon Mambo embossing powder.

It is an entry in the Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge and you can visit the blog and look at the other entries Here

Here is my card - I forgot to say I coloured in the letters with my Stampin' Write Markers!

Hope you like it - It's a bright, fresh and fun card... ideal for a youngster!

Back tomorrow!

Pxx

Sneak Peek Week!

Well I spent all evening yesterday playing with my new stash of goodies from the up coming NEW catalogue. I can pretty much guarantee you will LOVE it... Mine's already looking a little worn from the constant use!

The first thing I am going to tell you about is the Simply Pressed Clay! Yup - it is A-Mazing. When it is dry it is light as a feather. You can shape it or use the Simply Pressed Buttons and Blossoms Moulds that will also appear in the new catalogue.

It can be coloured in so many ways - it is SO flexible.

You can add re-inkers to dye the clay, you can press it on an ink pad, you can colour it with Blender Pens, Aqua Painters or your Stampin' Write Markers!

You can colour two pieces of clay and mix them together for a marbled effect.

You can moisten it when it has dried and dip it in embossing powder - heat it and get a shiny finish.

You can mix in Dazzling Diamonds to get a glittery finish.

You can coat it in Crystal Effects to give it a hard shiny coating.

You can cut it with scissors or a knife when dry... I could go on! But for now I'll just show you a picture or two!

The top two images are of flowers made using the marbling technique - the one on your right has been coated with Crystal Effects...

The bright pink flower has been coloured with Melon Mambo Re-Inker then heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

The red and white flower was gently rolled on an ink pad to just pick up the colour on the edges.

The bottom picture shows the 3 sizes of flowers made by the mould.

This card shows how fabulous the Blossoms look when stuck on a card - you can use Glue Dots, Tombo, Dimensionals or Sticky Strip to stick them on. I'm sure you recognise the sentiment from Bring On The Cake - but the border stamp is brand spanking new and comes as part of the Mosaic Madness set.

How luscious is that all shiny with Crystal Effects? Just remember if you don't want inky fingers get yourself some polythene gloves like the ones in the petrol station... the clay tends to stick to surgical/latex gloves.

Hope you like all the bits I've shown you today - I'll be back tomorrow with some more!

Pxxx

Less is More Challenge

Well I'm still flying high after the regional training. I've been trying out all the techniques we learned and playing with my new stamp set...gutted I can't show it to you yet!

I thought I would get back into the challenges this week. so this card is for the Less is More challenge. This week it's a single layer card using a coloured card blank.

I love purple and pink, so I chose Perfect Plum for my base and Melon Mambo embossing powder as embossing gives better colour on coloured card.

I used Just Believe and Curly Cute stamp sets and scored the card using my Simply Scored to give it more dimension.

I had it in my head I could sponge a shadow to add depth... I'm in two minds whether it worked - what do you think? Do leave a comment and let me know... I cut an aperture in scrap card using my Ovals Framelits, positioned it on my card blank using a couple of sticky notes. I sponged with Perfect Plum - then stamped the image with Versamark. Before adding embossing powder I removed the scrap card so I wouldn't get embossing powder trapped in the cut out.

Why not join in yourself? Just click here to visit the Simply Less is More Blog.

Pxxx

Super Saturday...

Well loads going on this weekend so I scheduled this post on Friday night. I just knew I wouldn't have time today!

I loved the colouring on Crumb Cake from Wednesdays post so I wanted to have another go. This time I have paired up the Crumb Cake with Island Indigo and Whisper White Embossing Powder. I also dry embossed the square mat with the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder. As you will have spotted, I used the Secret Garden Stamp Set again! :-)

Well I hope you have a fabulous weekend and get through it without incident! I need to start thinking about getting the camper ready for Easter Weekend! Subject to the weather I shall be camping in a potentially muddy field! Hope it dries up!

Pxxx

Chalkboard Technique and Challenge Winner!

Hope you are well and apologies for not having posted since Wednesday - I have been so busy it is unbelieveble.

I have been so busy I didn't even realise I had been selected as one of the CAS challenge winners. Top 3! How fabulous is that, I didn't expect it at all and am so pleased!

I promised the ladies who came to the Candle Making party on Friday that I would post some pictures of the card I made using the Chalkboard Technique that seems to be all the rage. It is my first attempt and I love it!

You distress the black card with some ink from your white craft pad, a gentle dab on the ink pad with a sponge is enough. Then I stamped the Beautiful Birthday sentiment and the Flowering Flourishes with Versamark and added white embossing powder, heated and Voila.

I thought it needed something else so I added a hint of colour to the flowers using my Stampin' Up! Watercolour Pencils.

I used a white pencil to outline the board.

I just love how it turned out and expect I will have a go again soon!

If you would like a party or to order Stampin' Up! supplies I can deliver anywhere in the UK!

Call me on 07786 860438 or email me from my contact page.

I am planning on entering a couple more challenges this week so pop back and check what I've been up to!

Paula xxx

Indian Celebration

I hope you are recovering from the excesses of Christmas. We had a very low key Christmas and have enjoyed the peace and quiet.

My husband and I attended a friends 21st birthday party yesterday. It was absolutely amazing, our friend is Indian and everyone was dressed up to the nines including the birthday girl. Here is a picture of her in her beautiful dress.

I'm sure you'll agree she looks stunning - the photo doesn't do her or the dress justice!



I did of course make the birthday card and thought I would share it with you. I used the Fabulous You stamp set and embossed the shoe, and butterfly from Papillon Potpourri, with Irridescent Ice Embossing Powder.

I do hope she loved it - it was nearly as sparkly and beautiful as the birthday girl herself!



I hope you are looking forward to the New Year. We certainly are and I'm hoping the sunshine outside is a harbinger of better weather to come as I am fed up with walking the dogs in the wet and mud! If I am honest a few hard frosts and even snow would be most welcome at the moment!

I am taking bookings for parties in 2013 and I know Stampin' Up! have some great offers in store and I'll be sharing some sneak peaks over the coming days.

E-mail me or give me a call if you would like to book a party or place an order. Details are on my contact page!

Paula xx